The second annual Taste of Farmington, presented by Cure Restaurant and Bar and lead sponsor Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), took place at Farmington Gardens on May 17. The event showcased food and cocktails from top Farmington Valley venues. Cocktails featured brands from CDI, including New Amsterdam Peach Vodka, 44 North Nectarine Vodka, Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum, Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Captain Morgan Pineapple White Rum, Absolut Elyx Vodka, Basil Hayden’s Bourbon, Oxley Cold Distilled Gin, New Amsterdam Gin, Privateer Silver Rum and Jim Beam Black, with the crowd voting for its favorite creation. Tastes of beer, wine and spirits were also offered of brands within the Brescome Barton, Slocum & Sons, Hartley & Parker and Allan S. Goodman portfolios, while local breweries included Black Hog Brewing, Back East Brewing Company, Firefly Hollow Brewing, New England Brewing Co., Kinsmen Brewing Co. and Alvarium Beer Company among others. The event was hosted by iHeartRadio’s Renee DiNino, with live music by the Kenny Meller Band and Jeff Przech. The Taste of Farmington benefited charitable organizations Gifts of Love CT and the Healing Meals Community Project. A check for $19,045 of proceeds raised was presented by the Cure team and CDI to the groups on May 29.
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- The second annual Taste of Farmington took place at Farmington Gardens on May 17.
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- Jason Rustico, Sales Representative, Connecticut Distributors, Inc., with Widow Jane Bourbon.
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- All from Cure Restaurant and Bar: Michael Geer, Trevor Gilbertie, Peter Majewski and Jamie Oakes.
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- The Jane’s Addiction cocktail from 4 Eat & Drink, featuring Widow Jane Bourbon.
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- Bryan Burke and Khalid Williams of Taprock Beer Bar & Refuge, won the “Best Cocktail” with their offering, Ernest’s Iceberg, which featured Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum.
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- Khalid Williams of Taprock Beer Bar & Refuge serves up samples of Ernest’s Iceberg, the winning cocktail by crowd vote.
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- All from Wood ‘N’ Tap: Felipe Segundo, Rodrigo Santiago, Mike Knudsen and Tristan Beckford. The team won the “Best Food and Cocktail Pairing.”
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- The Pineapple Express craft cocktail from Wood ‘N’ Tap featured Absolut Elyx, fresh pineapple, lime, agave and lavender.
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- All of Hartley & Parker: Angelo Culmo, District Manager; Jackie O’Keefe, Key Account Manager; and Larry Miner, Sales Manager.
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- John Tsipouras, Sales Rep., Slocum & Sons, with wines from Charles Schmidt and A to Z.
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- Sean Juliano, Sales Manager, Stony Creek Brewery.
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- Zach Washbond, Special Events Promoter, Back East Brewing Co.
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- All from 4 Eat & Drink: Alex Pantelopoulos, Dan Larkum and Carlos Perez.
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- Ed Dunn, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton.
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- Nick Chabot, April Gibson and Chris Chabot, The North House.
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- Jackie Bishop, Allan S. Goodman, with 14 Hands Wine.
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- Meghan Koufros, Director, OneHope Wines.
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- Justin Benvenuto and Jon Ladd, Black Hog Brewing Co.
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- Bruce Urso and Pam Urso, Owners, The Bottle Shop of Unionville and Gary Hovhanessian, Wine Manager, The Bottle Shop of Unionville.
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- Rich Loomis, Co-owner, Firefly Brewing Co.
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- Sarah Leathers, Executive Director, Healing Meals Community Project; Susan Pribyson, Executive Director, Gifts of Love; Trevor Gilbertie, Manager/TOF Coordinator, Cure Restaurant and Bar; and Callie Bak; Trade Marketing Manager, CDI on May 29, 2018.
