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Fifth Annual Devour Phoenix Bartending Competition Celebrates Phoenix Cocktail Culture & Friendly Competition At Crescent Ballroom, Sunday, February 9th, 2:00 PM
Jax Gonzalez from the Phoenix Public Market prepares “The TNT.”
On the judging panel, we will feature last year’s winner, Kyle Landry of Shady’s Fine Ales and Cocktails, Layla Linn from the Arizona chapter of the U.S. Bartending Guild, and seasoned mixologist, Jason Asher. Attendees who sample each cocktail may cast their vote as well, which will factor into the contestants’ overall scores. The winner will gain bragging rights for a year and receive two tickets to the Devoured Food + Wine Classic (March 1 and 2, 2014).
Tickets are $20 and, in addition to admission, include one sample of each beverage crafted—seven samples total. The event will feature three live acoustic music sets, and two energy-infused rounds of high-stakes mixology, emceed by the Arizona Republic’s Megan Finnerty. The Crescent Ballroom bar and restaurant will remain open for business during the event, and we strongly encourage patrons to support their local venue. T-shirts, sponsored by Brand X T-Shirts, will also be available to purchase this year for $10 each.
For the first time, word of mouth interest drove more bartenders to us to compete than there was space. This year, we held our first round of eliminations via social media and had fans vote for their favorite bartenders during the month of December. By December 31st, fans had selected seven bartenders from some of Phoenix’s finest cocktail establishments, including Manny Pena of Windsor, Evan Gibbs of Maizie’s Cafe, Matt Tobey of District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, Zachariah Gillespie of Phoenix Public Market Cafe, Joshua James of The Clever Koi, Michael Allmandinger of Parlor Pizzeria, and Ryan Richardson and Kazimierz World Wine Bar. All seven are ready to get up on stage and shake their finest creations.
Tickets: $20 via Crescent Ballroom
