Speed Rack, the all-female bartender competition, is coming to Miami this Monday, January 13.
The competition, held at Avenue D Jazz & Blues Lounge, starts at 5 p.m. and pits 16 of Miami's best bartenders against each other in a speed-bartending competition that also raises funds for breast cancer charities.
Contestants will compete in timed heats to make rounds of cocktails in front of a judging panel of industry experts (including Laura Cullen, owner of the much missed Clarke's on Miami Beach, who is in town from Northern California where show is Vice President, on-premise sales at Pacific Wine and Spirits) and an audience of eager cocktail enthusiasts.
The cocktails are selected from a list of 50 accepted industry-standard classics, and are scored on prep time and accuracy. The winner will be crowned Miss Speed Rack Miami and will receive a $500 honorarium toward travel to the National Finals in New York City.
Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at door and include cocktails from premium sponsors and snacks from local food vendors. Proceeds benefit breast cancer charities including SHARE Cancer Support, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Love, The Helen David Foundation and others. To date, Speed Rack events across the country have raised over $150,000 to these charities and others like them. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com or at the door.
The ladies shaking things up include Bettina Barnoczki (Blackbird Ordinary): Juanita Butler (PB Steak):Natalia Cardenas (Lure Fishbar, The River Oyster Bar); Ashley Daniella (L'Echon Brasserie); Shakenah Davenport (Bocce Bar, The Forge); Paige Diehl (Purdy Lounge); Kaliya Forray (The Broken Shaker); Kari Gutierrez (The Bazaar by Jose Andreas); Jenn Kalil (Lure Fishbar); Virginia King (The Broken Shaker); Oksana Petrova (Blackbird Ordinary); Stephanie Quibano (Blackbird Ordinary); Carla M Rivera (Social Club at The Surfcomber Hotel); Sarah Welch (Tongue and Cheek); Julia Williams (Khong River House); Jaki Winkles (Miami Heat, AlambiQ).
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