Holy Mixing Glass Batman! It’s the 2009 Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition!

by: Brandon Cummins, Contributions from Ryan Maybee

So what’s better than making some delicious cocktails for some wonderful guests? How about making cocktails for some local and national culinary celebrities, helping out a great charitable organization, AND potentially winning $1000!

If that sounds like a good deal to you… then perhaps the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition is in order!

From the Facebook event:

“The 2009 Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition will be held at The Uptown Theater on Sunday, November 22nd at 6pm. Kansas City’s best bartenders will put their skills to the test for celebrity judges Doug Frost, Dave Wondrich, Katie Van Luchene, and Jenny Vergara. We’ve made some changes to the competition this year to get the audience more involved and liven up the competition. Our emcee will be famed artist and owner of Grinder’s, Stretch Rumaner.

The ticket price for this year’s event has been lowered to only $5!!!!! We really want to bring in a large crowd to witness one of the most unique competitions in Kansas City that’s now getting national attention!

As in past years, 100% of the ticket sales will go to benefit the HALO Foundation, a local charity that works with the art community to help feed and clothe children in orphanages around the world. There will be a silent auction featuring many of Kansas City’s best artists.

The bartenders competing for the Grand Prize of $1000 and national publicity, will be required to create their own original cocktail as well as showcase a knowledge level and skill level with regards to classic cocktails. Think “Iron Chef” but for the bar.

This event is fast becoming a Kansas City classic, so support the local arts and restaurant community by cheering on the best bartenders in KC!

Cheers!”

So what is it that makes this so awesome? (outside of the grand prize of course) For those of you who haven’t heard the name “Dave Wondrich”… time to get your googlin’ fingers ready! Dave’s a VERY well-known cocktail expert, the resident cocktail historian for Esquire magazine, author of many books including the infamous “Imbibe!”, and very recently appeared on The Colbert Report… (see embedded video)

But that’s not all! Doug Frost, Jenny Vergara, Katie Van Luchene, and Ryan Maybee are also equally formidable judges…

Doug, along with Mr. Wondrich, helped to start B.A.R. or Beverage Alcohol Resource… Think “Wine Sommelier” but for Mixology! Doug himself is both a Master Sommelier as well as a Master of Wine, one of only three people in the world to earn both these distinctions! He is also an author and has written about wine, beer, and spirits for multiple publications… including (but not limited to) the New York Times, San Francisco Chrnoicle, Sante Magazine, and the Kansas City Star. Possibly one of the most well-defined palates in the world!

Then of course there is the lovely Jenny Vergara (aka… Makingofafoodie)… She is the founder of Kansas City’s first “Underground Supper Club” known as “The Test Kitchen“. She is also a columnist for Tastebud Magazine, and authors the very popular “The Making of a Foodie” blog… Jenny’s got a fantastic personality, and one hell of a palate to boot!

Katie Van Luchene has joined the ranks as one of the judges. Katie is the editor of KC Magazine, and at times it seems there are multiple “Katies” running around Kansas City, as she seems to make an appearance at every charitable event, gala, and big party in town.

Last, but certainly not least… Mr Ryan Maybee rounds out the judging table… Ryan is one of the first graduates of the “BAR Ready” level of B.A.R., and is currently working towards his Masters of Mixology. He is also a Certified Specialist of Wine and owner/proprietor of Kansas City’s “Manifesto”, a speakeasy styled club serving Gourmet Cocktails. Alongside all that… he owns and operates RoundTable KC… a consulting firm specializing in wine, spirits, restaurant and bar operation, staff training, and product development.

The sponsors for this year’s competition include: Hendrick’s Gin, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Chopin Vodka, Grand Marnier, 10 Cane Rum, RoundTable Marketing & Consulting and Tastebud Magazine.

Click here to download the official PDF / Entry Form: For more about the competition, including Rules, Regulations, Prizes, and How to Enter!

Brandon is the founder of From Sip to Drink, a self-proclaimed “drink enthusiast”, bartender, and media producer. He currently resides in the Kansas City metro area.