Each year Sutter Home Winery's Build a Better Burger National Cook-Off, with its grand prize of $50,000, draws competitors from around the nation with recipes for burgers that range from sublime to strange. Duck burgers, anyone?

Copia hosts a day-long celebration of burgers with cooking demonstrations, live music, tasting with wine and book signing Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the following activities:

On hand will be James McNair, renowned local cookbook author, who has been the long-time judge for the contest. Sutter Home's Chef James Houghton and his staff will be firing up the grills and serving tastes winning recipes for pairing with Sutter Home wines.

Here's the schedule of activities:

11-11:45 a.m.: Building Better Burgers with James McNair. Talk and cooking demo in the Meyer Food Forum. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Included with admission

Noon-1 p.m.: "Build a Better Burger" cookbook signing with McNair in the Beringer Vineyards Atrium. Included with admission

Noon-12:30 p.m. Burgers on the Grill. Talk and cooking demo on the River Concert Terrace with Chef James Houghton of Sutter Home Family Vineyards who demonstrates tricks and techniques for grilling the perfect burger. Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Included with admission.

Noon-3 p.m.: Build Your Own Better Burger Lunch on the River Concert Terrace. Top hot-off-the-grill Niman Ranch burgers with a selection of award-winning condiments from the Build a Better Burger National Cook-off paired with Sutter Home Wines, Kettle Chips and Copia Garden Salad with Colavita Olive Oil Vinaigrette. $10, includes admission, burger, chips, garden salad and wine or other beverage. Additional tasting tickets available for purchase.

Noon-3 p.m.: Food Network's Challenge: Build a Better Burger Videos in the Copia theater. Noon: Burger I (2004);1 p.m. Burger II (2005); 2 p.m.: Burger III (2006). Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Included with admission

12:30-3 p.m.: Music by the Hot Frittatas, a Northern California ensemble who perform Italian and Sicilian music on accordion, bass, fiddle, guitar and mandolin.

2-2:30 p.m.: Food and Wine with James Houghton. . Wine pairing tips and tasting with the Chef of Sutter Home Family Vineyards in the Meyer Food Forum. Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Included with admission

2:45 - 3:15 p.m.: Ask James. Chat about everything you've ever wanted to know about Build a Better Burger with head judge James McNair in the Meyer Food Forum. Limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Included with admission.

3:30-4 p.m.: Build a Better Burger cookbook signing by James McNair in the Beringer Vineyards Atrium.

Info, www.copia.org