Watch VoirFilms. A stew prepared by farmers and hunters, burgoo dates to the pioneer days of the Kentucky frontier. The origin of its name is unclear, and ingredients vary regionally, but the passion for burgoo is reflected in the title given to the chefs: “Burgoo Kings”. Loyal stew masters rigorously maintain recipes and cooking traditions across generations. And with making burgoo comes a lot of leg-pulling, tall tales, and fellowship around the pot.