Okanagan Spirits Winetender’s Mixoff Announces People’s and Judges Awards Thursday Night!

-Posted Oct 13,2014

Okanagan Spirits Winetender’s Mixoff Announces People’s and Judges Awards Thursday Night!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kelowna, B.C. ~ The energy was buzzing as ten bartenders from ten restaurants prepared to compete in last night’s Okanagan Spirits Winetender’s Mixoff. Showcasing and presenting their creations to not only the judges but also the 250 people who attended the event, each of their cocktails was required to include an Okanagan Spirit and a local wine. Many of them also included unique ingredients of fresh fruit purees, infused liquors, and a few veggies!

Guests were also treated to delicious appetizers such as Karfty Kitchen’s creation, GATSBY’S BEETS Local chevre, pickled onion, over roasted beet ,finished with lemon pearls and Globe Cafe’s Roasted apple Baklava with lemon curd and Vanilla lime syrup.

Everyone arrived at the wonderful historic Laurel Building, to the smells of delicious food and the sound of live jazz music. After sampling the cocktails, the food, and watching the presentation they had the opportunity to choose their favorite cocktail. While the competition was tight, by the end of the evening, winners were chosen in the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice category.

Three judges sampled throughout the evening, taking into consideration the name, presentation, taste, originality, and food pairing. This year was extremely close and resulted in the Judges Choice being awarded to both Johanne Audette from Globe Cafe with her ’70 day Tease’ and Micah Jensen from Raudz Regional Table with his ‘Relic’ . Votes then were tallied for the People’s Choice, where Luke Atherton from Ricardo’s was announced the winner for his ‘A Bridge to Fall’. “The planning and preparation of the cocktails by the professional bartenders was incredible, and to balance that perfectly with some amazing gourmet food is truly an art.” said one of the judges, Discover Wines Tracy Gray.

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, with a portfolio over 25 different types of alcohol made from 100% BC fruit and grain, has over 50 World Spirits awards to their name, and is now Canada’s only Master Class Distillery, North America’s only World Class Distillery, and this year’s World Spirits Awards Distillery of the Year. “We were excited to see the bartender’s creativity and originality in coming up with these fantastic cocktails! And proud to present the awards to the deserving winners!” says Okanagan Spirits Sales & Marketing Manager Rodney Goodchild.

JCI Okanagan is a member based non-profit organization where “young professionals and entrepreneurs are developing as individuals to make an impact.” “The restaurants really stepped up to the challenge, creating such unique drinks & appetizers and really performing for the crowds.” says Corinne Shoranick, JCI Okanagan President. “We have had very positive feedback about the event, we foresee next year’s event being a sold out success!”

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Attached Please find a picture of the People’s Choice Award Winner team from L-R – Josh Drought, bartender at Ricardos, Luke Atherton-winning bartender, Ricardo Scebba – owner of Ricardos. Photo Courtesy of Sharla Pike Photography <ricardos.jpg>