West Michigan Bartenders, Mixologists to Compete in Grand Cocktail Judged Competition Tomorrow
By: Tyler Peterson Aug. 04, 2015
Eighteen talented bartenders and mixologists from Grand Rapids best restaurants will compete in the finals of the Grand Cocktail Competition on Wednesday, August 5th from 5 - 7:30 pm at Gravity Taphouse Grille located at 3210 Deposit Drive next to Northpointe Bank at the East Beltline and I-196 interchange. The competition will decide who wins the Grand Prize award in two categories, "Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail" and "Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep". The finalists in the event were selected from a blind vote cast by 10 judges who represent the spirits and media community in Greater Grand Rapids and Michigan. During the competition, 10 judges will watch the finalists in action and will vote on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Finalists will be judged on cocktail appearance, aroma, taste, creativity, use of product, and overall presentation.
Awards will be presented immediately following the competition from 8 - 8:30 pm (approximate).
The Grand Cocktail Competition is created as part of Restaurant Week Grand Rapids 2015. The Grand Cocktail Competition is one week prior to Restaurant Week Grand Rapids, the popular food event that will run for 12 days from August 12 - 23, 2015.
The Judged Finals for the Grand Cocktail Competition is an invitation-only event. The public can visit Gravity Taphouse Grille on August 5th to give their support to the competitors. The presentation room where the finals will take place is limited to judges, competitors and their guests. A patio connected to the presentation room may be open for viewers, but there is limited capacity seating. The public can discuss the judged competition on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #RWGR.
Finalists in the Competition include:
Most Creative Herradura Tequila Summer Cocktail Finalists
One Trick Pony
Competitor: Julie Bonter
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "T.C. Cherry Fizz"
HopCat
Competitor: Dave Zick
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "Grilled Peach & Jalapeno Beer-Rita"
Gravity Taphouse & Grille
Competitor: Darnitta (Dee) Taylor
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "Purple Haze"
CitySen at City Flats Hotel
Competitor: Emily Tuttle
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "The Fixie"
Amore Trattoria Italiana
Competitors: Mike Post
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "Desi"
Stella's Lounge
Competitor: Brandon Wilcox
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "Pomelo Fresca"
Terra GR
Competitor: Kevin Nunn
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "Puesta del Sol"
Divini
Competitor: Chris F. Maxim
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "A Midsummer Nights Shrub"
Black Heron Kitchen and Bar
Competitor: Chris Lee Raab
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "La Grande Vitesse"
Rockwell Republic
Competitor: Katelyn Schanz
Most Creative Herradura Summer Cocktail - "Hecho en Michigan"
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep Finaiists
Kitchen 67
Competitor: Aaron Vince
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Charred Tulip Julep"
Six.one.six
Competitor: Zac Williams
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "June Bug Julep""
Divini
Competitor: Chris F. Maxim
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Emerald City Julep"
Olive's
Competitor: Kim VanAlstine
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Cherry Vanilla Julep"
McFadden's
Competitor: John Sherry
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Strawberry Fizz Julep"
Rockwell Republic
Competitor: Katelyn Schanz
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Elliot Stables"
Pearl Street Grill
Competitor: Richard Green
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "BBV"
Grand Rapids Brewing Company
Competitor: Josh Hallwachs
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Rhun for the Rhoses"
Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen
Competitor: Tara VanderMolen
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "Grand Smash"
SpeakEZ
Competitor: Calin Skidmore
Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep - "A Porch Swing in Port William"
Twenty-nine restaurants entered the Grand Cocktail Competition and all are in the running until August 4 for the "People's Choice" award, that the public can vote on through Tuesday, August 4th on RestaurantWeekGR.com under "Cocktail Contest"
All entries and cocktail recipes in the Grand Cocktail competition are also featured on RestaurantWeekGR.com for a limited time. People's Choice winners receive a $100 gift certificate to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education's restaurant at GRCC, The Heritage.
Additional Information
One week after the Grand Cocktail Competition, Restaurant Week Grand Rapids 2015 will begin on Wednesday, August 12 and will run for twelve days through Sunday, August 23 at 64 restaurants. Forty-three participating restaurants will serve creative three-course menus for $28. At 21 restaurants, 2 people can experience a 3-course menu for $28. All creative menus will feature foods and products grown locally, highlighting the summer harvest in West Michigan. The public is encouraged to "Taste the City" and try new restaurants that they have not experienced before, as well as, return to old favorites all around the city.
One dollar from every Restaurant Week meal sold is donated by participating restaurants to benefit the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Student Scholarship Fund to help students in the esteemed culinary program. Thousands of dollars are raised through Restaurant Week Grand Rapids every year. Restaurant Week Grand Rapids has raised almost $100,000 in scholarship money since its inception in 2010.
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