Midwest's largest bartending competition showcases 12 finalists' creativity, technique, knowledge, skill KANSAS CITY, MO (August 18, 2010) – The finalists have been selected and final preparations are under way for the fourth annual Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition held on Sunday, August 29th at 6:00 p.m. at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Missouri. Bartenders from all over the country submitted their unique cocktails for consideration in the competition. The top twelve finalists and their cocktails were chosen for their use of quality spirits, fresh ingredients, proper technique and creativity.
Finalists will perform in front of a live audience and be judged by a panel of industry heavy weights on their use of quality ingredients, proper techniques, and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mixology. Finalists will prepare their original cocktails, an impromptu classic cocktail for the judges, and this year they will have the challenge of batching their cocktail for the audience. The judges will also be sampling the batches to look for consistency between their large batch and their individual cocktail.
The bartenders competing in the competition and their signature beverage are:
Jennifer Tosatto, Firefly Lounge, Kansas City, MO Drink: 9 to 5
Heather Price, Piano Room, Kansas City, MO Drink: Sloe and Fiddichy
Paige Unger, McCormick & Schmick's, Kansas City, MO Drink: Socialite
Mark Church, Grunauer, Kansas City, MO Drink: The Refined Austrian
Chris Muether, Danno's American Pub, St. Louis, MO Drink: Gateway to the Zest
Travis Stewart, Four Olives, Manhattan, KS Drink: Tale of Two Fridas
Anthony Beyer, Benton's Prime Chop House, Kansas City, MO Drink: Remolino
Chris Conatser, Justus Drugstore, Smithville, MO Drink: Tit for Tat
Van Zarr, Bluestem, Kansas City, MO Drink: The Light of Day
Valdez Campos, Caf? Trio, Kansas City, MO Drink: Copa Jalisco
Jason Kimbrel, JP Wine Bar & Coffee House, Kansas City, MO Drink: Bobby Burnside
TJ Vytlacil, Franco Restaurant, St. Louis, MO Drink: Silver & Sand
The winners of the competition will go home with the title of Kansas City's Best Bartender 2010 and a monetary prize of $1000.00, $500.00, and $250.00 for first, second and third place - respectively. An "Audience Favorite" prize will be awarded to the finalist that receives the most text message votes.
The competition is open to the public to attend.