Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) and Pernod Ricard sponsored the First Annual Middletown Oyster Festival and United States Bartenders Guild Connecticut (USBG CT) Cocktail Competition on August 9 at Mezzo’s Grille and Bar in Middletown. Joseph Aceto, Bar Manager at Mezzo’s Grill, said he hopes this will become a yearly event and plans to design it as a block party next year. Shel Bourdon, Plymouth Gin and Beefeater East Coast Brand Ambassador, attended the event to showcase the gins. Bourdon, alongside, Aceto and George “Hutch” Hutchinson, the Northeast Venture Sales Manager of Pernod Ricard, served as judges for the competition and awarded Dimitrios Zahariadis first place for his craft cocktail “Garden Party.” Mark DeBlois was named the crowd favorite cocktail with “Friars Southside Fizz.” All competitors were USBG CT members.
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- Shel Bourdon, Plymouth Gin and Beefeater East Coast Brand Ambassador; Roger Gross, USBG CT Member; Dimitrios Zahariadis, USBG CT President; Adam Patrick, USBG CT Member; Jeff Marron, Corporate Bar Manager, Barteca Group; Amanda Morrissey, Retail Account Specialist, Pernod Ricard USA; George “Hutch” Hutchinson, Northeast Venture Sales Manager, Pernod Ricard USA; Paul Mazurek, National and Regional Chain Account Manager, CDI and USBG CT Treasurer.
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- Bruce Riley, Chef, Mezzo’s Grille and Bar; Bill Fox, Owner, Mezzo’s Grille and Bar; Joseph Aceto, Bar Manager, Mezzo’s Grille and Bar; Shel Bourdon, Plymouth Gin and Beefeater East Coast Brand Ambassador; Dimitrios Zahariadis, USBG CT Chapter President; Brandon Bullock, Employee, Mezzo’s Grille and Bar.
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- Oysters out for guests to sample.
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- Frank Baldo creating “Plymouth Punch.”
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- “Sasha Grey” cocktail by Adam Patrick
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- Andres Soriano’s “Emerald City.”
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- Christtian Hurtado muddling basil leaves for his cocktail “Green Goddess.”
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- Justin Morales mixing “Shruby Collins.”
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- Richard Clemens mixing his cocktail and Plymouth Gin.
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- Mark DeBlois mixing “Friars Southside Fizz.” DeBlois’ cocktail was awarded the crowd favorite.
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- Jaime Johel’s cocktail “Gin Maria.”
