RI Night Market, Rhody Foody & Friends and Two Bullyz LLC hosted its first Wicked Best Espresso Martini Competition at Medici Lounge in Providence on May 17. Local bartenders created their best cocktails using Velo Vodka as the base spirit. Based in South Boston, ultra-premium Velo Vodka was founded and is run by mother-and-daughter team Colleen and Riley Eyges. Competition judges included Mario Hilario, NBC 10 WJAR; Maggie Longo, Hospitality Business Consultant; Christina Erne, NBC 10 WJAR; Reilly O’Hearn, Boozy Bitchez; Jenna Kaplan, Providence Monthly; Joe Wilson Jr., Director of the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, City of Providence; Riley Eyges, Co-owner, Velo Vodka; Scout Lyons, Actress and Singer-Songwriter; and David Dadekian, President, Eat Drink RI. The Judges’ Choice winner was The Slow Rhode and The People’s Choice and Best Presentation awards went to Kaffeology for its Mont Blanc espresso martini. Guests enjoyed samples, tasty accompanying cuisine and entertainment during the evening.
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- RI Night Market, Rhody Foody & Friends and Two Bullyz LLC hosted the first Wicked Best Espresso Martini competition at Medici Lounge in Providence on May 17.
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- Sponsored by Velo Vodka, bartenders showcased their skills and their representative venues, mixing up original craft martini tastes for judges and guests.
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- Colleen Eyges, Co-owner, Velo Vodka and Lupe Aguilar, Co-founder, Rhody Foody and Co-founder/Event Organizer, Wicked Best Espresso Martini Competition.
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- Lupe Aguilar, Co-founder, Rhody Foody and Co-founder/Event Organizer, Wicked Best Espresso Martini Competition and Brent Paquin, Owner, Two Bullyz LLC and Event Organizer.
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- Velo Vodka’s Colleen Eyges, Co-owner; Riley Eyges, Co-owner; and Reilly O’Hearn, Brand Ambassador.
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- All of Judge’s Choice Winner The Slow Rhode and fred.: Patsy Wilson, Co-owner; Dev’n Brown, Bartender; and Dario Wilson, Co-owner.
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- An Espresso Martini from the team at The Slow Rhode and fred.
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- Kelsey Taft, Bar Manager and Andreea Marin, Owner, Kaffeology.
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- Kaffeology’s Espresso Martini, Mont Blanc, won the People’s Choice and Best Presentation awards.
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- Alexander Recinos, Bar Manager and Meghan Corrigan, Bartender, Black Oak Kitchen & Drinks.
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- Black Oak Kitchen & Drinks’ espresso martini, Rocher Royale.
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- Samples of Black Oak Kitchen & Drinks’ Espresso Martini, Rocher Royale, featuring Velo Vodka.
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- Andrea Trejo, Front of House and Alejandra Ruelas, Owner, Casa Azul Taquería with the Churro Flavored Espresso Martini.
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- Casa Azul Taquería’s Churro Flavored Espresso Martini.
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- Kelseigh Ryan, Owner/Operations Manager and Nicole Corbishley, Bartender, Koncocted by Kelseigh Lee.
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- Kayla Oliveira, Bar Manager and Demi Owe, Bartender, The Local.
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- The Local’s Espresso Martini: Velo Vodka, Kapali Coffee Liqueur, organic cold brew and organic blue agave.
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- Max Houck, Bar Manager/Head Mixologist and Tia Soscia, Owner, The Counting House.
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- The Pastel de Cafe Espresso Martini from The Counting House.
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- Austin Wojtanowski, Bar Manager, Circe Restaurant & Bar.
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- An Espresso Martini by Austin Wojtanowski, Bar Manager, Circe Restaurant & Bar.
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- Austin Wojtanowski, Bar Manager and Savannah Finan, Support Staff, Circe Restaurant & Bar.
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- The Tipsy Toboggan Bartenders Mia Moniz and Joycelin Hernandez.
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- The Tipsy Toboggan’s Espresso Martini.
Photos by Laura Widness.
