Martignetti Companies, in collaboration with West Hartford’s Zephyr’s Street Pizza, hosted a cocktail competition featuring Fernet-Branca on Feb. 12. Three local bartenders competed to create their best cocktails featuring the iconic Italian brand in three rounds for a panel of judges: Andrew Martins, Bartender, Sol Toro; Stephanie Cohen, Bartender, The Port of Call; and Tyler Arrowsmith, Sous Chef, Zephyr’s Street Pizza. DJ Darth Fader provided the evening’s soundtrack. The winner was AZ Ramirez, Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen, who received $500 in cash as the grand prize. Fernet-Branca, a style of amaro originating in Italy, was first formulated in Milan in 1845 and is one of the best-known Italian bitters, with 27 herbs, roots and spices that make up its formula.
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- Martignetti Companies, in collaboration with West Hartford’s Zephyr’s Street Pizza, hosted a cocktail competition featuring Fernet-Branca on Feb. 12.
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- Bridget Hurley bartended for the evening.
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- Fernet-Branca, a style of amaro originating in Italy, was first formulated in Milan in 1845 and is one of the best-known Italian bitters, with 27 herbs, roots and spices that make up its formula.
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- The judging panel: Andrew Martins, Bartender, Sol Toro; Stephanie Cohen, Bartender, The Port of Call; and Tyler Arrowsmith, Sous Chef, Zephyr’s Street Pizza.
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- Dante Cistulli, Owner, Zephyr’s Street Pizza was the event emcee.
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- Winner AZ Ramirez, Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen.
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- Ramirez’s winning cocktail.
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- Competitor MeKayla Roy, Union Kitchen.
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- Roy’s Cocktail.
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- Competitor Zach O’Brien, Max Fish.
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- O’Brien’s cocktail.
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- The competitors: MeKayla Roy, Union Kitchen; Zach O’Brien, Max Fish; and AZ Ramirez, Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen.
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- Dante Cistulli, Owner, Zephyr’s Street Pizza and Event Emcee.
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- Angelo Culmo (far right), Martignetti Companies with guests.
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- Winner AZ Ramirez (left), Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen.
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- DJ Darth Fader.
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- Guests at Zephyr’s Street Pizza.
Photos by Michael Leung.
