Sponsored by PAMA Liqueur, Do You Have The PAMAlympic Spirit to Take Home the Gold…and $5,000?
The world may have to wait four more years for the Olympics in Rio, but the New York Chapter of the U.S. Bartender’s Guild (USBG), in partnership with PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, wants to continue the Games with the first-ever PAMALYMPICS. While this competition won’t test your physical abilities, it will present other hurdles as you dive into the competition and challenge your taste buds, ingenuity and the ability to draw a crowd of fans. The Gold medal winner will receive $5,000, while the Silver and Bronze will receive $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. So let’s reignite the torch and let the Games begin!
HOW TO QUALIFY: Bartenders are invited to enter by submitting an original recipe by Monday, October 1, 5:00pm EST at www.usbgny.org/pamalympics <http://www.usbgny.org/pamalympics> . Three recipes will be selected by Master Mixologist Eben Freeman and those finalist bartenders will be invited to participate in the PAMAlympics event at Demi Monde (90 Broad Street, NYC) on Monday, October 29. For a complete list of rules, go to www.usbgny.org/pamalympics <http://www.usbgny.org/pamalympics> .
PAMALYMPICS COMPETITION: The three finalists will be required to compete in three heats in order to determine the winner. Points will be awarded in each heat and the contestant with the most points will take home the Gold. The heats consist of:
1. Can you TASTE the Gold? Competitors will be asked to write out the recipes of three PAMA cocktails in a blind taste test. Points awarded based on accuracy.
2. Bow to competition and test your CREATIVITY. A mystery ingredient will be revealed and challengers will be required to create a unique drink which will be judged by a panel of judges.
3. Are you the underdog or the FAN FAVORITE? Finalists will serve their qualifying cocktail to the audience. To ensure their cocktail wins this round, contestants are encouraged to bring a cheering squad, who will vote for their favorite drink. Points awarded to the drink that garners the most votes.
JUDGING PANEL: The competition will be overseen by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of a combination of respected industry professionals including Eben Freeman, PAMA Brand Spokesperson; Reid Hafer, PAMA Senior Brand Manager; and Brian Quinn, Cocktail Columnist for FoodRepublic.com.
THE PODIUM: Everyone’s a winner at the PAMALYMPICS! The gold medalist will receive $5,000; Silver medalist will receive $2,000; Bronze medalist will receive $1,000.
