Twin River Casino’s annual “Christmas in June” campaign kicked off on June 1, geared toward benefiting local community causes. The wide-ranging efforts began with a Summer Food Drive benefiting the RI Community Food Bank. Project Broken Wheel workshops led by Twin River’s General Manager of Beverage Operations Frank Martucci, who also serves as President of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Charity Foundation, kicked off the bike refurbishing and gifting program for local children. Twin River employees, USBG Rhode Island chapter members, hospitality industry workers and local supporters all pitch in to combine efforts into a diverse and far-reaching community service program benefiting multiple organizations.
The Flip Out on Cancer 2017 flair bartending showcases held at Newport Grand and Twin River Casino, along with annual local on-premise cocktail sales via Negroni Week, benefit The Tomorrow Fund and Helen David Relief Fund. Bartenders from around the United States and Canada gathered at the Newport Grand Casino sponsored by Tito’s Homemade Vodka and Campari on June 6 and at Twin River on June 7. Colby Ashton won first place with Ram Ong in second place and Eduardo Clevek in third place from the June 6 event.
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- The Flip Out on Cancer 2017 flair bartending was sponsored by Tito’s Vodka and Campari America. The competitors created two cocktails using “working and exhibition flair.” The first cocktail created was the Negroni, in honor of Negroni Week, and the second was competitor’s choice using Tito’s Vodka as the base ingredient.
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- Competition Winner Colby Ashton of Las Vegas. Proceeds from the ticket sales went to benefit the Tomorrow Fund, a non-profit organization in Rhode Island that provides financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families who are treated at The Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.
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- Competitor Andres Zamorano of Dallas on June 6.
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- Competitor Kate Fischer of Toronto on June 6.
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- Competitor Fernando Soto of Chicago on June 6.
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- Competitor Mike Guzman of Las Vegas on June 6.
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- Competitor Mike Rez of Erie, Pennsylvania on June 6.
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- Jason Poisson, Retired Flair Bartender and Event Emcee; Event Judge Nick Olliney of Las Vegas; Event Judge Moe Isaza of Boston; Event Judge Jim Royal of Rhode Island and Retired Flair Bartender; and Event Judge Anthony Guaetta, Bartender, Twin River Casino.
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- June 6 Competition Winner Colby Ashton of Las Vegas; Opie Oppenheimer, Event Organizer, Flip Out on Cancer; Frank Martucci, Director of Beverage Operations, Twin River Casino; Second place Ram Ong of Miami.
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- Flip Out on Cancer 2017 event organizers and competitors.
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- A selection of cocktail creations.
Photos by Laura Widness.
