Speed Rack kicks off its third national tour in New York City on Sunday, December 15, as it strives to bring together the best, brightest and fastest female bartenders in the region to compete in the speed-bartending competition that raises funds for breast cancer charities. Expect fast-paced action, free-flowing cocktails and a rocking good time.
Contestants will compete in timed heats to make rounds of cocktails, culled from a list of 50 accepted industry-standard classic recipes, in front of a panel of judges and a crowd of excited viewers. Judges rate each drink based on prep time and accuracy. The judging panel at Speed Rack New York will include leading cocktail-world luminaries Julie Reiner (owner of Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club), Dave Wondrich (world-renowned cocktail historian and writer), Jim Meehan (leading barman and co-owner of PDT) and Aisha Sharpe (top cocktail consultant).
WHAT: Speed Rack New York
WHERE: Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY
WHEN: Sunday, December 16, 2013, 3:30pm
COST: Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at door
With suggested donation, attendees receive complimentary punch from our sponsors as well as treats from local food vendors.
WHY: To date, Speed Rack events across the country have raised more than $150,000 for breast cancer charities, including: SHARE Cancer Support, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Love, The Helen David Foundation and others.
THE CONTENDERS:
Rebecca Applebaum
Del Posto
Shel Bourdon
Smyth Hotel
Chase “ChaCha” Bracamontes
The Dutch
Natasha David
Mayahuel, Nitecap
Meaghan Dorman
Raines Law Room
Jessica Dure
American Whiskey
Lacy Hawkins
Clover Club, The NoMad
Amanda Sue Elder
Pouring Ribbons
Karen Fu
The NoMad Restaurant
Meaghan Montagano
Huckleberry Bar, Extra Fancy
Claire Needham
Play
Tracey Olson
The Dutch
Erika Ordonez
Ward III
Micaela Piccolo
Distilled in NYC, 211 West Broadway
Shannon Nicole Ponche
Mayahuel
Dee Ann Quinones
Grace Bar
Ariana Vitale
Evelyn Drinkery, Toro
Jillian Vose
Death & Co
Natasha Velez Walker
Los Americanos
Julie Renee Williams
Donna, McKittrick Hotel
PRIZES: Miss Speed Rack New York, as well as her fellow winners from each city, from the tour will receive several prizes, including a $500 honorarium toward travel to the National Finals in New York provided by St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur.
FYI: Speed Rack, Inc. was created by nationally acclaimed bartenders and industry ambassadors, Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix. Additional information can be found on the Speed Rack website www.speed-rack.com, on Facebook www.facebook/speedrackinfo and on Twitter @speed_rack.
Check out the antics at last year’s regional heats by visiting: http://www.speed-rack.com/videos and http://bit.ly/1cIrwLH; videos by Le JIT Productions.
