Meet the Collective

The 2026 Burger Week Collective is the team behind the scenes—planning, creating, and collaborating to bring Burger Week to life, celebrate our local restaurants, and celebrate the Almighty Burger.

Nicolle Fogarty, owner of Slopeside Tavern and host of this year’s Last Bite: Wrap Party, is no stranger to the Burger Week spotlight. With a track record that includes 2025 Favorite Burger, multiple podium finishes, and a reputation for creativity that keeps us all coming back for more, Nicolle brings both artistry and heart to everything she does. Known for her ever-present smile and genuine hospitality, she leads a team that makes everyone feel like a regular—whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. If there’s a burger worth chasing… Nicolle’s probably already perfected it.

Jill Katz, of Crossroads Custard and a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, brings a sweet touch to Burger Week—both in spirit and in dessert. Known for her kind heart, fun-loving nature, and deep love for this mountain community, Jill is as much a staple of Cashiers as her frozen custard. You’ll likely spot her behind the counter, out at Groovin’ on the Green, or popping up at one of Cashiers’ many “soirees” (and by that, we mean wherever friends are gathered and laughter is easy). She reminds us that the best communities—and the best events—are built with a little sweetness and a lot of heart.

Mary Whitten Warner, Director of Brand & Marketing at Landmark Realty Group, may be new to the Burger Week Collective—but you’d never know it. She jumped in and brought the vision to life, designing this year’s logo, poster, passport, and banner with creativity and precision. Known to many as a creative force behind the Landmark Chili Cook-Off each October, Mary Whitten (or MWW, as I like to call her) brings both the heat and the follow-through. Creative, clever, and incredibly reliable, she’s the kind of collaborator every great event needs—and we’re lucky she’s in the mix.

Heather Dalton, Visitor Center Host & Membership Manager at the Cashiers Area Chamber, is my trusted sidekick and right arm—and I mean that with the highest admiration. Heather brings a genuine care for our members and community to everything she does, along with a steady presence and a sense of humor that makes even the busiest days better. She’s as wonderful to work with as she is to be around, and if I’m lucky, she’ll be my Burger Buddy this year so we can cover a little more ground together. Of course, as the ones counting the ballots, we won't vote—but we’ll definitely get some good bites in.

Sean Cronin, known to many as a Christmas Parade judge, proud Irishman, Guinness enthusiast, and Leadership Cashiers Advisory Council member, brings the same discerning eye to burgers that he brings to parade floats. A familiar face at community events and a steady voice of thoughtful opinion, Sean has a knack for spotting the details others might miss—and he’s not shy about sharing what he finds. We can’t promise a stout pairing at every stop… but we can promise spirited opinions, a few good stories along the way, and a perspective that’s as seasoned as it is sincere.

Susan Sapienza, Executive Director of the Cashiers Area Chamber, is the “I” behind the words above—and the grateful heart behind this celebration. What you’ve read is the spirit of Burger Week: people showing up, pitching in, and creating something special together.

I am continually humbled by the creativity and generosity of this community—from the planning team and sponsors, to the restaurants and their teams, to the patrons who bring the energy, support local, and gather each year to celebrate at the Last Bite: Wrap Party.