Plan B Burger Bar and Willett Distillery presented the Iron Bar Gala on March 26, 2014. Twelve competitors from previously-held qualifying rounds gathered at Plan B’s Milford location. The six-heat, 12-minute rounds of culminating competition featured Willett Pot Still Single Barrel with a secret ingredient of the bartender’s choice from a list of 12 spirit and liqueur choices from the Opici Family Distributing portfolio. The $1000 cash prize and a trip to Kentucky with Plan B and Willett Distillery was awarded to Thomas Panzella, who was chosen by judges and popular vote.
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- Lena DiGenti, Chief Strategy Officer, Plan B Burger Bar with Tom Panzella of Prime 16 in Orange. Panzella won for his namesake cocktail, featuring Willett Pot Still, Marie Brizard Orange, sugar, bitters and jalapenos.
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- Judges await their introductions: Faith Middleton, WNPR Host; Drew Kulsveen, Willett Master Distiller and Owner; Chris Prosperi, Metro Bis; Chef Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s; Dimitrios Elias Zahariadis, The Cocktail Chemists and United States Bartenders Guild Connecticut Chapter Vice President.
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- Paul Flynn, Eastern Regional Manager, Luneau USA; Willett’s Drew Kulsveen; Scott Randall, General Sales Manager, Connecticut; Opici Family Distributing; TJ Gallagher, Opici, Connecticut; BJ Roberts, Barcelona Restaurant.
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- Jessica Paul, Opici Spirits Manager; Competitor Dave Mascolo; Rachel Hurvitz, Plan B Burger Bar Marketing.
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- Second heat competitors Jill Pirro and John Brennan, both of Plan B Milford.
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- Chef Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s also of Chopped fame; USBG-CT Chapter President Anthony DeSerio; AJ Aurrichio, Director of Operations, Millwright’s.
