Diageo welcomed United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut (USBG CT) chapter members and Brescome Barton to its Norwalk headquarters for a membership drive cocktail competition on February 13. During the first round, the six competing bartenders, Juan Meyer, Owen Wiseman, Jeff Hodson, Jonathan Tellis, Ashley Lurie and Rachel Markoja, created two different cocktail recipes in six minutes using two of three brands: Ketel One Oranje, Don Julio Blanco and Bulleit Bourbon. The judges, Justin Sylick of Diageo, USBG CT Chapter President Adam Patrick and April Wachte, Founder and CEO of Swig + Swallow cocktail mixers, noted taste, aroma, presentation, technique and creativity as first-round criteria. Wiseman, Markoja, Lurie and Meyer advanced to the second round, where each had 10 minutes to shake up a Ramos Gin Fizz featuring Tanqueray 10, which was revealed to them before the start of the final round. Meyer was named the first place winner, followed by Lurie and Markoja. The prizes for the top three winners included a one year membership to the USBG CT, a Diageo gift bag and a one year subscription to The Connecticut Beverage Journal.
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- Diageo welcomed USBG CT members and competitors.
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- Diageo brands Ketel One Oranje, Don Julio Blanco, Tanqueray 10 and Bulleit Bourbon were the featured spirits during the competition.
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- David Rudman, Director of Education and Account Development, Brescome Barton and Craig Ventrice, USBG CT Treasurer and Bar Manager at Kawa Ni, addressed competitors and guests.
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- Justin Zylick, Vice President of Sales, Diageo and competition judge; Adam Patrick, USBG CT President and competition judge; Craig Ventrice, USBG CT Treasurer; April Wachtel, Founder/CEO, Swig + Swallow and competition judge.
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- First place winner Juan Meyer, Beverage Director, Z Hospitality Group.
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- Competitor Ashley Lurie of Ch’i Public House in Norwalk, second place.
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- Competitor Owen Wiseman of Kawa Ni in Westport.
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- Competitor Jeff Hodson, Bar Manager, Hub and Spoke in Bridgeport.
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- Competitor Rachel Markoja of Ideal Tavern in Southington, third place.
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- Competitor Jonathan Tellis, Bartender, Hub and Spoke in Bridgeport.
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- The three judges, Justin Zylick, Vice President of Sales, Diageo; Adam Patrick, USBG CT President; and April Wachtel, Founder/CEO, Swig + Swallow, reviewing the cocktails during the event.
