F Calling All Bartenders F The Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance (ARHA) and local convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) are looking for the state’s best bartender. The annual competition is open to all professional bartenders throughout the state.

Regional winners will have the chance to compete on September 26, 2016 in Montgomery against other city finalists to take home the $1,500 grand prize and get to show off the coveted “Bartender of the Year” trophy until next year’s contest.

JUDGING CRITERIA:• Accuracy & Speed• Taste & Creativity• Crowd Interaction• Written Test

PRIZES:• Regional - $200 1st Place and

Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place• State - $1,500 Grand Prize / $500 2nd

Place / $200 3rd Place• State - Coveted trophy for one year

HOW TO SIGN UP:• Apply online at ARHAonline.com

or scan the QR code to apply• Questions? Call 334.244.1320 or

email sperkins@arhaonline.com

DOTHAN:

KT’s Tavern168 South Foster St.8/11/16 @ 6:30 pm

BIRMINGHAM:

Cantina LaredoUptown Bham8/16/16 @ 6:00 pm

HUNTSVILLE:

The Westin HotelBridge St. Town Centre8/17/16 @ 6:30 pm

GULF COAST:

LuLu’s200 East 25th St.8/23/16 @ 5:30 pm

AUBURN:

The Hotel at Auburn University8/30/16 @ 6:30 pm

MONTGOMERY:

Central129 Coosa St.8/31/16 @ 6:30 pm

SPONSORS:

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

2016 Regional Bartender of the Year Competition

Overview This year we will once again hold Regional Bartender of the Year Competitions to allow for more participation from licensed establishments across the state. There will be six regional contests. Contest is open to all professional bartenders throughout the state. Contestants submit applications locally through the CVB or on the ARHA website to compete in regional contests. Contestants who finish in first place at the regional contest are recognized as that region/city Bartender of the Year, and are automatically entered to compete for the title of State Bartender of the Year.

Regional contests will be held in August. Regional winners will compete for first, second and third place during the reception hour for the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner. The reception and dinner will be hosted at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel on Monday, September 26, 2016.

Regional/City partners provide an emcee for the event to announce each bartender as they compete, drinks they will be preparing, and any other pertinent information to keep the audience entertained. Regional/City partners select three judges for the judging panel. ARHA suggest using local celebrities to add excitement to the event.

Judges and Scoring A total of three judges will score each participant on the following:

• Accuracy• Crowd Interaction• Speed• Test Score• Specialty Drink

Awards Prizes will be given to the first, second, and third place bartenders at each regional contest, and winner will receive $200 cash. At the state bartender competition, the winner will have their name engraved on the “Bartender of the Year” cup trophy that will be displayed in the establishment of the winning bartender until the following year’s competition takes place. He or she will also win the grand prize of $1,500. The second and third place winners at the state competition will also receive cash prizes and awards.

2016 Regional Bartender of the Year Guidelines

1. The sponsor will supply the “featured spirits” for the contest. The host venue will supply the mixers

and garnishes needed for the cocktails. ARHA will supply the list of ten cocktails, from the sponsor,

to each contestant and regional partners in advance of the contest.

2. Contestants should have adequate space in order for them to construct their cocktails. Depending

on the venue, this could be either one or two “wells” in a standard bar set up, one or two portable

bars as used by many hotels, or one or two standard rectangular draped tables.

3. All competing bartenders should be present at the host venue at least one hour prior to the start of

the contest.

4. Upon arrival, each bartender will have 15 minutes to complete a multiple-choice test on the recipe

drinks. For regional winners, points earned will transfer to the contestant’s score in the statewide

competition.

5. Contestants may not use any mobile devices or have any communication with others during the

written test or while on stage during the competition. However, when not on stage, contestants are

allowed to have access to electronic devices to post on social media.

6. Following the written tests, competition order will be determined and representatives will review

contest rules and regulations with the contestants.

7. Contestants will have up to 10 minutes to set up the bar.

8. The judges will randomly select two recipe drinks for each bartender to prepare during their part of

the competition.

9. Each bartender will have 10 minutes to complete the two recipe drinks, Old Forester Manhattan

with their own unique “twist”, plus their specialty drink. A clock will be visible to the bartenders and

the judges.

10. As each bartender prepares their drinks, they are required to announce each ingredient and the

amount of each ingredient to the accuracy judge. They will be judged on the accuracy of the

ingredients and amounts for each recipe drink. The judges will also have a complete list of the drinks

and ingredients, so it is important to announce the ingredients/amounts correctly to score accuracy

points. Please note that some of the recipes call for unusual ingredients and that all host venues

may or may not have available all the ingredients. In those instances where the host venue does not

have an ingredient, the bartender should still announce the ingredient out loud even though they

will not be adding it to the drink. Use of a jigger is optional.

11. A contestant can remake a drink as long as it is within the time limit. The bartender should

complete all four drinks within the time limit, or they will be penalized.

12. The two recipe drinks can be made in standard “rocks” glasses and the Manhattan in a cocktail glass.

The host venue will supply two “rocks” glasses and one cocktail glass per contestant. Please note

that some recipes provided by the sponsor may call for more liquid than can fit into a standard

“rocks” glass. If the host venue has the proper size glassware available, recipe drinks should be

prepared in that glass, but if that is not possible, contestants will have to adjust ratios of the

ingredients to fit in a standard “rocks” glass.

13. Each bartender must prepare the Old Forester Manhattan with their own unique “twist.”

14. Each bartender must prepare a specialty drink of their choosing. Contestants may bring in their own

glass for the specialty drink (as well as their own garnish, especially if it is one that the host venue

might not normally provide) or they can choose to mix their specialty drink in a standard “rocks”

class. The contestant’s specialty drink must include the featured spirits provided by the

competition sponsor.

15. It is suggested that each contestant describe their specialty drink and its ingredients to the judges,

including any reasoning behind the combinations they have chosen. The specialty drink will be

tasted by the judges and points awarded accordingly.

16. Showmanship and crowd interaction are judged as part of the contest, so the more interaction the

bartender has with the judges and the crowd, the better their chances of scoring points.

17. Speed of mixing the recipes and specialty drinks will also be judged, and the faster they are, the

more points they can receive.

18. Cleanliness of the bar upon completion of their round will also be considered, so be sure to keep the

station neat.

FOR QUESTIONS, call 334-244-1320 or email sperkins@arhaonline.com.