Cocktail creators extraordinaire have a chance to strut their stuff in the Star of the Bar competition during this year’s International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB), which runs concurrently with the NRA Show.
This nationwide search for the country’s most creative cocktail will start online with video submissions (deadline April 1), then bring the finalists to Chicago to compete live for the Star of the Bar title and $5,000 grand prize. Held May 22-23 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, IWSB is the restaurant and hospitality industry's only event focused exclusively on improving restaurant and hospitality bar programs. The Star of the Bar competition is sponsored by Bacardi.
“The Star of the Bar mixology competition provides a great opportunity to showcase creativity and skill in bartending,” says C.W. Craig Reed, Convention Chair for this year’s NRA Show. “Last year’s winner credits Star of the Bar with helping him launch his mixology career. We’re looking forward to watching this year’s competitors turn fresh ingredients into innovative signature cocktails and become the next Star of the Bar winner.”
Interested individuals should submit on YouTube™ a 2-minute video of themselves preparing their best signature cocktail by 11:50 p.m. Central Daylight Time on April 1. The contestant must complete the entry form on www.winespiritsbeer.org and include the original written recipe and must use at least one product from the Bacardi portfolio.
Voting will take place on www.winespiritsbeer.org through Monday, April 11, 2011 until 5 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Six semi-finalists will be flown to Chicago to mix, stir and shake their signature cocktail at the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event on Sunday, May 22, 2011.
IWSB attendees – including some of the world’s leading alcohol experts, producer, and buyers – will help narrow down the field to the top three, who will then go on to compete live for the title at “Restaurants Rock” – the official party of the NRA Show and IWSB 2011 – that evening. In addition to earning Star of the Bar bragging rights and creating incredible industry connections, the winner will also receive a $5,000 cash prize.