86’d Hartford Events Offer Cuisine, Cocktails and Competition

86’D Hartford offers food and drink aficionados a series of events in its on-going culinary competitions to raise funds for End Hunger CT. The event held at Chango Rosa on September 18 featured two chefs and two bartenders facing off. Chefs KC Ward of Rooster Co. and April Melisa of North House created dishes for the expert panel of judges, while Bartenders Jason Wither of Rooster Co. and Eric Karadimas of Max Tavern Springfield used Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum as the base spirit in cocktails for the crowd vote. Both Rooster Co. participants took the win for the night.

: Competing Chef April Melisa of North House.

: Winning Chef KC Ward of Rooster Co.

: Jason Wither, Rooster Co. in Newington, won with his cocktail Early Bird, a take on a strawberry daquiri featuring Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, honey simple syrup, infused ginger and strawberry kombucha and lime juice, garnished with strawberry and cinnamon sugar.

: Eric Karadimas of Max Tavern in Springfield, Massachusetts submitted The Wench, featuring Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Southern Tier PumpKing simple syrup, chai tea and cinnamon, served in a smoked glass with burnt orange garnish.

: Food Titan, youtube star and Celebrity Judge Daym Drops.

: Competing Bartender Eric Karadimas, Max Tavern; Sarah Alokones, North Division Manager, Brescome Barton; and Winning Bartender Jason Wither, Rooster Co.

: San Diego’s Ballast Point Beer was the featured brew. Its craft beers at the event included Sculpin IPA and Bonito.

: Jeannette Punsoni, Eat In CT; Sarah Alokones, North Division Manager, Brescome Barton; Cheyney Barrieau, Eat In CT; DJ Darth Fader; and Kristen Fritz, Eat In CT.