The first of seven cocktail competitions held at Westport’s Kawa Ni, designed to showcase craft cocktail programs, yielded a winner from New York on March 24, 2015. The series, organized by Jeff Marron, beverage manager for Kawa Ni, The Whelk, and leFarm, continues at Kawa Ni on May 11; June 22; Aug. 3; Sept. 14; Oct. 26; and the final is scheduled for Nov. 15, at The Whelk. Judges were Mimi McLaughlin, Saugatuck Grain & Grape; Joe Farrel, Walrus + Carpenter; Adam Rotman, Walrus + Carpenter; Daniel Del Farraro, OmnomCT; Andrea Viscuso, OmnomCT; and Sarah Green, CTBites contest winner for a judging slot. Of the field competitors, Carlos Garcia of Rhode Island took third place, Connecticut’s Carl Summa came in second, and Jon Kraus of New York took first place. The sponsoring spirit was Appleton Estate Rum and the secret ingredient was Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur.
-
- Appleton Estate Rum. Photo by Chris Almeida
-
- The stage is set. The sponsor spirit was Appleton Estate Rum.
-
- Jeff Marron addresses the competitors. Photo by Stephanie Webster c/o CTbites.com.
-
- Carl Summa, USBG CT Chapter Vice President, Bar Manager at Main Street Grill, and The Cocktail Chemist partner, took second with The Chinese Connection. Photo by Stephanie Webster c/o CTbites.com.
-
- Post-competition celebration at Luxe Modern Wine & Cocktails. Bartenders Vincenzo Anastasia, James Menite, Megan Lambert, Douglas Tirola of “Hey Bartender” film fame, Jon Kraus, Jeff Marron and Carlos Garcia. Photo by Chris Almeida.
-
- Jon Kraus, USBG NY and Principal Bartender at The Gilroy in New York City, won with his cocktail, The Westport Sake Bomb. The drink featured the use of a cream cheese float “on a dare.” Photo by Stephanie Webster c/o CTbites.com.
-
- Carlos Garcia, USBG RI and Bartender at New Harvest Coffee & Spirits in Providence, RI created The De Goma and took third place. Photo by Stephanie Webster c/o CTbites.com
Photos 2, 3, 4, 5 by Stephanie Webster c/o CTbites.com. .
