Bartender contest kicks off Red, White and Blues
By MICHAEL RUKAVINA OBSERVER Staff Writer
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9/9/2006 - After being handed the coveted scoring sheet, pencil, T-shirt and hat, Bartenders’ contest judges gathered Friday evening to begin the quest to deem this year’s “best drink” and “best performance.” The contest began at the White Inn and steadily moved throughout the Village to bars and restaurants including Coyle’s Pub, Muldoon’s, 41 West Main and Ellicottville BC, where judges scored bartenders on quality of drink and overall performance.
“One of the things we try to do is get judges that people would know and recognize and who would have a lot of contacts,” said Susan MacKay, Fredonia trustee and Festival Fredonia volunteer. “Next year what we’re going to to do is we’re going to let people buy into it and be people’s choice, but to be a judge you have to be an upstanding member of the community.”
Because Red,White and Blues is a free event, proceeds from things like next year’s ‘buy in’ theme and ‘judges bribes’ are put back into the committee’s funds to be used for next year’s festival.
Aside from “best drink” and “best performance” honors, bars also had the chance to win the popular vote through the bribing of judges. Everyone was encouraged to donate a bribe to the judges to sway votes in favor of that person’s favorite bar or bartender.
“They (bar owners) choose who they’re going to have in the contest, this year we’re going to give a small award for the bar who collects the most in bribes,” said MacKay.
Throughout the evening judges taste-tested drinks and witnessed performances fit for the theatre. Drinks began with Dustin Lukach of the White Inn who served a Chocolate Martini. Jay Josker, Dave Foote, Kara Faso and Brittney Ippolito from Coyle’s served a Red White and Blues Margarita and Martini with whipped cream while dancing to music from “Grease.” Delaney Lowery from Muldoon’s served Red, White and Blue balls and entertained the crowd with “Let’s go Buffalo” and Fredonia State cheerleaders John Wilder and Lisa Ricotta from Ellicottville BC served up Peanut Butter and Jelly Martinis with a “Back to School” theme, and Dave Foote from 41 West Main served up a Red, White and Blue layered Margarita.
The bragging rights honors were eventually granted to Coyle’s for “best performance,” while the White Inn took home the title of “best drink.”
“It was delicious ... the drink was excellent,” said bartender contest judge Jim Neaf.
The overall results were as follows: first place went to Coyle’s, second place went to Muldoon’s, third place went to 41 West Main and fourth place with an honorable mention went to Ellicottville BC for their unusual and tasty Peanut Butter and Jelly Martini. “It was a clever drink and it tasted like peanut butter and jelly ... everyone was talking about it,” said MacKay.
While the judges entertained their taste buds, music and jazz fans were entertaining their ears to the sounds of soulful blues music performed by Guy Davis inside the Fredonia Opera House. His albums and stage performances have gained critical acclaim nationwide. Four of Davis’ eight CDs were W.C. Handy Awards nominees for Best Blues Album of the Year and his 2004 CD “Legacy” was named one of the best albums of the year by National Public Radio. Davis was greeted by an enthusiastic and large crowd who you could almost see inching toward the edge of the seat as the concert progressed.
Red, White and Blues swings into full force today, beginning with the Farmers Market at 9 a.m., children's activities at 11 a.m. and live music at 1 p.m. under the Merritt Wine Tent.
“One of the things we try to do is get judges that people would know and recognize and who would have a lot of contacts,” said Susan MacKay, Fredonia trustee and Festival Fredonia volunteer. “Next year what we’re going to to do is we’re going to let people buy into it and be people’s choice, but to be a judge you have to be an upstanding member of the community.”
Because Red,White and Blues is a free event, proceeds from things like next year’s ‘buy in’ theme and ‘judges bribes’ are put back into the committee’s funds to be used for next year’s festival.
Aside from “best drink” and “best performance” honors, bars also had the chance to win the popular vote through the bribing of judges. Everyone was encouraged to donate a bribe to the judges to sway votes in favor of that person’s favorite bar or bartender.
“They (bar owners) choose who they’re going to have in the contest, this year we’re going to give a small award for the bar who collects the most in bribes,” said MacKay.
Throughout the evening judges taste-tested drinks and witnessed performances fit for the theatre. Drinks began with Dustin Lukach of the White Inn who served a Chocolate Martini. Jay Josker, Dave Foote, Kara Faso and Brittney Ippolito from Coyle’s served a Red White and Blues Margarita and Martini with whipped cream while dancing to music from “Grease.” Delaney Lowery from Muldoon’s served Red, White and Blue balls and entertained the crowd with “Let’s go Buffalo” and Fredonia State cheerleaders John Wilder and Lisa Ricotta from Ellicottville BC served up Peanut Butter and Jelly Martinis with a “Back to School” theme, and Dave Foote from 41 West Main served up a Red, White and Blue layered Margarita.
The bragging rights honors were eventually granted to Coyle’s for “best performance,” while the White Inn took home the title of “best drink.”
“It was delicious ... the drink was excellent,” said bartender contest judge Jim Neaf.
The overall results were as follows: first place went to Coyle’s, second place went to Muldoon’s, third place went to 41 West Main and fourth place with an honorable mention went to Ellicottville BC for their unusual and tasty Peanut Butter and Jelly Martini. “It was a clever drink and it tasted like peanut butter and jelly ... everyone was talking about it,” said MacKay.
While the judges entertained their taste buds, music and jazz fans were entertaining their ears to the sounds of soulful blues music performed by Guy Davis inside the Fredonia Opera House. His albums and stage performances have gained critical acclaim nationwide. Four of Davis’ eight CDs were W.C. Handy Awards nominees for Best Blues Album of the Year and his 2004 CD “Legacy” was named one of the best albums of the year by National Public Radio. Davis was greeted by an enthusiastic and large crowd who you could almost see inching toward the edge of the seat as the concert progressed.
Red, White and Blues swings into full force today, beginning with the Farmers Market at 9 a.m., children's activities at 11 a.m. and live music at 1 p.m. under the Merritt Wine Tent.
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