Local bartenders mixed it up for the Sling Cocktail Exposition and Competition on June 26 at Skyline at Waterplace. Organizers Matt Simmons, “The Cocktail Writer,” and Lupe Aguilar, Rhode Island restauranteur, entrepreneur and community personality, welcomed guests to the fundraiser to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. In addition to donating event proceeds to a community cause, the event was aimed at “sharing in, and growing the appreciation for, the art of bartending, and the art of the cocktail right here in the Providence beverage community,” said Simmons. Judges used a scoring system applied to the two cocktails created by participating bar teams. The event was sponsored by Horizon Beverage Company of Rhode Island, Broken Shed Vodka, Casamigos Tequila, Yacht Club Soda, Anna’s Kitchen, Bank of America, Sprout Microgreens and Rhody Foody. Simmons said the next benefit event will be held in November.
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- The Sling Cocktail Exposition and Competition on June 26 at Skyline at Waterplace benefited the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
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- Guests enjoyed cocktails featuring Yacht Club Birch Beer and Broken Shed Vodka.
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- Matt Simmons, “The Cocktail Writer,” and Lupe Aguliar, “Rhody Foody,” Co-Producers of Sling.
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- Eric Marsh, Sales Consultant, Horizon Beverage showcased Casamigos Tequila and Mezcal.
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- Justin Garrison, Brand Ambassador – New England, Broken Shed Vodka and Paul Criscuolo, Vice President of National Sales, Broken Shed Vodka.
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- Brand Ambassadors Evan Brown and Cammie Giarrusso for Yacht Club Sodas featured Yacht Club Sodas and Broken Shed Vodka.
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- Lupe Aguilar, Rhody Foody and Co-producer, Sling; Tom Hughes, Bartender, Mill’s Tavern, who placed second; First-place winner Analise Stettner, Lead Bartender, Barnaby’s Public House; and Matt Simmons, “The Cocktail Writer” and Co-producer, Sling.
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- First-place winner Analise Stettner, Lead Bartender, Barnaby’s Public House.
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- A Stettner cocktail, The Tugley Wood, which featured Casamigos Reposado Tequila, fresh lemon juice, sage infused clover honey, egg white and an angostura spray tree stencil as garnish.
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- Tom Hughes, Bartender, Mill’s Tavern, who placed second.
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- A Hughes creation.
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- Bartenders Brandon Joseph and Nicole Amodei, The Rosendale, creating their cocktail, Be Social.
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- Layali Bartender Ashley Alderman along with Manager Tim McCurley creating the Amal Fizz.
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- The team in action from O’BOY Restaurant headed by Jaewoo Choi.
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- Margarita Propper, Rhody Foody staff with samples of cocktail creation Only Thyme Will Tell.
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- Event cocktails featured Casamigos Mezcal and Casamigos Tequila.
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- Cocktail competition judges John Sgambato, Owner, Yacht Club Soda; Lindsay Ladeluca, Channel 10 News; Leishla Maldonado, Bartender/Beverage Director, Courtland Club; Anna Scott, Proprietor, Anna’s Kitchen; and David Dadekian, Founder, Eat Drink RI.
Photos by Laura Widness.
