Twin River Casino hosted five of six weeks of competition, as of press time, for the 2014 Iron ‘Tender Bar War Challenge at its Lighthouse Bar. Twin River Casino, Gruppo Campari, Bacardi USA, Heineken USA, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Lucas Bols, Deep Eddy Handmade Spirits, and USBG Rhode Island sponsored the event, which began on April 7, and runs through May 12, 2014. Bartending talent from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Boston, including Johnson & Wales University, faced a judging panel and a different spirit each week. The contestants were scored on categories such as drink name, balance, simplicity, presentation, aroma, taste, originality, delivery and overall impression of cocktail. Prizes were awarded to the first and second place winners each week, as well as the team with the largest fan base.
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- The Bartenders Academy team included Nick Giordano and Rachel Lynn Boyette on April 21, 2014.
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- On April 7, 2014, the Connecticut contingent. Standing: Nick Giordano, Carl Summa, Taylor Cannavaro, Adam Patrick, David Bouchard, John Boudreau, Owner of Main Street Grill, and John Lamadeleine. Front row: Peter Lloyd Clayton, Owner of Bartenders Academy, Patrick Youngquist and Dre Lagrima.
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- Nick Giordano, John Boudreau, Peter Lloyd Clayton on April 7, 2014.
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- John Lamadeleine of Bartenders Academy in Waterbury shakes it up on April 21, 2014.
