Wednesday, March 10, 2010

USBG Cocktail World Cup with 42 Below, U.S.A. National competition

 

March 7


1000 bartenders nation-wide competed in regional competitions. From those competitions, two bartenders were picked to represent each of the cities, and on Sunday night 26 bartenders competed in Liberty Hall at the Ace Hotel to determine the final three bartenders who would go on to represent Team USA at the USBG Cocktail World Cup 2010 in New Zealand later this month.

Since the competition is sponsored by the New Zealand-based vodka brand 42 Below, the contestants all made a signature drink using one of 42 Below's vodka for the judges. Founder of the Bartender's Academy of New York, Charles Ohlbaum, King Cocktail himself, Dale DeGroff, and chef Sam Talbot.

Just finished class, you guys are great!!!

Dino's Joint

WOW A MUST

http://www.dinosjoint.com/Dinos_Joint/Home.html

The West Palm Beach Saloon of 61 Larkfield Rd. Northport, NY 11768 Is hosting a flair competition for competitors of all divisions on June 2^nd at 9pm, competitors should arrive no later then 7:30pm for check in.  This is meant purely as a fun event for all involved.  Flair rounds will consist of opening a beer and making two drinks one V2 Long Island Ice Tea and  a Sponsors Special cocktail. There are no working flair requirements, competitors are encouraged to perform an exciting yet clean routine however they see fit. 

For rules e-mail Sean@ BartendersAcademyNY.com 

Rules will be e-mailed to competitors -

Bartenders Academy® Vice President Chris Cardone recently reached a new milestone when it comes to training students by certifying his 1,000 student in the responsible alcohol service program known as Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS).  Chris has been training bartenders from Montauk to Manhattan in responsible alcohol service since 2005 and has reached the 1,000 trained mark in almost exactly 3 years.  Chris teaches the TIPS program at both the Bartenders Academy of New York facitlies as well as on-premise at restaurants, nightclubs, bars, catering halls and gentlemen clubs.

Forced to retire from Long Island's Most Valuable Bartender Competition, Chris Cardone got to watch as three of his former flair bartending students (and two of his co-workers) make the Top 5. 

On March 31, 2008, the 26th Annual Long Island Bartenders and Chef's Ball was held, where the winner of this year's Most Valuable Bartender was announced.  Jesse Roenbeck was announced as this year's Most Valuable Bartender on Long Island.  Also appearing in the top 5 were Bartenders Academy's own Sean  Friedmann and Bob Grotticelli.  

After winning back-to-back awards, Chris Cardone was asked not to compete this year in order to allow new competitors the chance to taste victory.  Chris was thrilled to see that 3 of the Top 5 finalists were students of his Flair Bartending Course.  "Jesse, Sean and Bob all worked really hard at this competition and really made names for themselves.  All three really impressed me," Chris said about the three competitors.  "They all brought different styles, ideas and drinks to the compeition which shows their maturity and intelligence as competitive bartenders."

Bartenders Academy of New York Vice President Chris Cardone appeared on the Today Show in a Flair Bartending/Mixology Competition on Februrary 28th.  Chris was selected to represent the East Coast United States against a flair bartender (Robyn Closson, of Harrah's Carnival Court, Las Vegas) from the West Coast.  The two flair bartenders had 1:15 seconds to dazzle the three female Today Show hosts (Hota Kotb, Natalie Morales and Tamarin Hall) who judged them on both flair and mixology skills.  Although Chris did end up losing to his long-time friend Robyn he said it was an unforgettable experience and a ton of fun.  "Losing to Robyn is not losing at all.  She is a phenomal flair bartender working in Las Vegas at Harrah's Carnival Court, the flair capital of the world, she is one of the best.".

Chris' drink, The Berry Lemon Bomb, was an exquisite blend of Skyy Berry, Lemoncello, Lemon Curd, Raspberry Jam, Lime and Sugar, muddled and fined strained into a cocktail glass garnished with a raspberry & lemon flag and a mint sprig.  Overall, the competition was another great example of flair bartenders exposing the myths that flair bartenders can't make great tasting drinks and spill liquor or drop bottles.  After the competition, Chris joked, "Okay, now give me three male judges and let's try it again!".

Chris Cardone did a 1-hour demonstration and lesson on flair bartending at the Cook.Eat.Drink.Live event held at Pier 94 in NYC on Oct. 25,26,27.  The event was one of the biggest food and beverage events of the year, where famous mixologist and chefs were brought in to demonstrate their skills.  Chris Cardone was hired as the one-and-only flair bartending/mixology expert and provided a packed house with an awesome demonstration on the facts and myths about flair bartending, inlcluding how flair does not slow down a bartender's service, that flair can be spill and drop free and that flair doesn't have to sacrfice the taste of the drink.  He also unveiled his newest signature cocktail; the Black Cherry Pomegranate Delight.