Brescome Barton, together with Campari America, hosted a “Back Alley Banger” industry night party and fundraising event with Zephyr’s Street Pizza in West Hartford on July 11. Guest bartenders Stephanie Cohen of GastroPark and Present Company and Bridget Hurley of El Santo mixed up cocktails, all showcasing products from Campari America, including multiple spritz bars offering the popular Aperol Spritz. Local bartenders competed in a two-part bartending competition, starting with a speed pour test. The top four most accurate winners of that challenge went on to test their talents in a speed service bartending competition, where they were each challenged to make their best and fastest mojito, Negroni and cosmopolitan cocktails for judges Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s Restaurant and TA-Que; Ethan Czarneski, Present Company; Ashley Flagg, Millwright’s Restaurant; and Stephanie Cuistilli, Zephyr’s Street Pizza. A portion of the proceeds benefited Hands on Hartford, a nonprofit organization working to provide food, housing and health services for people experiencing economic hardship in the capitol city.
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- The “Back Alley Banger” industry night at Zephyr’s Street Pizza in West Hartford on July 11 featured a fundraiser for Hands on Hartford.
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- Guests enjoyed cocktails and spritzes featuring the Campari product line, including the Italian aperitif Aperol.
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- An Aperol Spritz cocktail.
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- Back row: Gary Dritschler, Campari America; Andrew Martins; Dante Cuistilli, Owner & Executive Chef, Zephyr’s Pizza; Jillian Carey, Brescome Barton; and Matthew Blumenfeld, Brescome Barton. Second row: Scott Brennan, Olives & Oil; Jessica Torres, Little River Restoratives; Stephanie Cohen, GastroPark and Present Company; Bridget Hurley, El Santo; Stephanie Niemiroski, Brescome Barton; and Vicky Richards, Millwrights. Front row: Liban Dirir, Viron Rondo Osteria.
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- Guest Bartender Bridget Hurley, El Santo making an Aperol Spritz.
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- Guest bartender Stephanie Cohen, GastroPark and Present Company.
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- Competitor Jessica Torres, Little River Restoratives.
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- Jeri Lopez, Olives & Oil, Seymour.
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- Competitor Andrew Martins.
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- Competitor Liban Dirir, Viron Rondo Osteria.
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- Competitor Vicky Richards, Millwrights.
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- Stephanie Cuistilli; Dante Cuistilli, Owner & Executive Chef, Zephyr’s Pizza; and Dante Boffi, Four Dads Pub.
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- Competition Judge Chef Tyler Anderson, Owner, Millwright’s Restaurant and TA-Que.
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- Sarah Alokones, Divisional Sales Manager, Brescome Barton; Gary Dritschler, State Manager, Campari America; Stephanie Niemiroski, Sales Representative, Brescome Barton; Julia Calabrese; Jillian Carey, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton; Will Jepsen, Sales Representative, Brescome Barton; Matthew Blumenfeld, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton; and Dan McManus, Sales Representative, Brescome Barton (front).
Photos by Lisa Nichols, Bread & Beast Food Photographer.
