The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Rhode Island chapter teamed up with Campari USA and Teremana Tequila on June 7 for its annual hospitality industry charity bike ride, which this year was named Pedaling for Patino. Chris Patino, a national hospitality industry icon, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2020. The annual charity event focuses on health and wellness awareness causes, with this year’s donations and efforts benefiting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org and the Patino Family GoFundMe campaign. “He has been a leader in national beverage education and involved in numerous industry charitable efforts. The outpouring of satellite riders speaks volumes on the respect Chris has amongst our profession,” said Frank Martucci, President of the USBG National Charity Foundation and event co-organizer. The local ride hosted dozens of riders from Rhode Island and Connecticut in Independence Park in Bristol, in conjunction with rides happening across the country. The route showcased a scenic 25 miles of East Bay coastline followed by lunch, a collaboration between Bywater Restaurant and Hunky Dory in Warren and sponsored by Campari America and Teremana Tequila.
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- Groups of riders gathered in Independence Park in Lincoln for the 25-mile fundraising ride, Pedaling for Patino.
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- Frank Martucci, Board President, USBG National Charity Foundation and Director of Beverage & Nightlife, Bally’s Corporation, registers team Teremana Tequila, a sponsor brand of the event.
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- Campari America’s Gary Dritschler, event sponsor, addresses guests at Pedaling for Patino, as Chris Almeida, Ride Co-organizer, records the event.
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- “The Cocktail Guru” Jonathan Pogash thanks guests for showing up to support Chris Patino and the Pancreatic Center Action Network.
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- Ben Terry, Front of House Manager, Proclamation Ale Company and Ride Co-organizer, reviews the course with Joaquin Meza, Owner/Bartender, El Rancho Grande and Delores and Horus Alvarez, Bartender, Dolores and The Eddy.
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- Frank Martucci and Andrew Greenleaf, Rhode Island Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers.
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- Longtime area bar and beverage professionals and event co-organizers Chris Almeida, Frank Martucci and Ben Terry.
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- Tastes await during the post-ride lunch held in collaboration with Bywater Restaurant and Hunky Dory in Warren. A Jabroni variation was the signature cocktail, which featured Aperol, Teremana Tequila sweet vermouth and banana liqueur.
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- Sponsors Madeline Conover, Area Manager MA/RI, Mast-Jägermeister US; Josh Scott, Director Trade Marketing, Teremana Tequila; and Mike Lazzaro, Field Marketing Manager (East), Mast-Jägermeister US.
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- Refreshing beverages included local brands from Proclamation Ale Company and Anchor & Hope, as well as Granny Squibb’s Organic Iced Tea among them.
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- Joaquin Meza, Horus Alvarez and participant.
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- The Jabroni cocktail.
Photos by Laura Widness.
