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Show The Park RecorcL PARK CITY, UTAH Saturday, October 1, 2005 Events Calendar: C3, Crossword: C4, Scene & Heard: C7. TV Listings: CIO, Classifieds: C13 4 By MATT JAMES Of the Record staff Thursday evening, just as the light was beginning to fade, a group of bartenders gathered at The Spur. They were there for the Park City Cocktail Contest, and they were ready to fill orders for some discriminating customers. At stake for the event was a $100 first prize and bragging rights - the winner could call himself or herself the best bartender in Park City. "Mary McPheters (the tourism marketing manager) from the Park City Chamber/Bureau called the Restaurant Association and asked us to come up with a Park City Cocktail Contest," said Eileen Dunn, chairperson of the Park City Restaurant Association and principal organizer of the event. The theme of was simple, said Dunn, "Life, liberty and libations for all!" Ultimately, she noted, the eve*H was designed to battle the notion that Utah is a dry state. The Park City Cocktail Contest is meant to showcase Park City as a town with a thriving nightlife. The event featured bartenders from' 15 bars and restaurants around Park City. Each one had five minutes to make four drinks for the judges. The cocktails were judged in six different categories: ease, ingredient availability, use of flavorings to enhance the cocktail, taste, presentation and originality. The categories were worth 15 points each, with the exception of taste, which was 25. The contest's 11 judges spanned whole range of Park City dignitaries, from PCTV host Patrick Lovell and Salt Lake Magazine food editor Vanessa Chang to Summit County Commissioner Bob Richer and Park City artist Bill Kranstover. They also included Craig Sanchez, Park City's director of golf: PCTV host Patrick Lovell; KPCW local news reporter Linda Gorton; Scott Cote, from Jan's Mountain Outfitters; Jesse Shetler, owner of the No Name Saloon and Butchers Chop House and Bar; Julie Wilson, director of food and beverage at Deer Valley Resort; Cathy Miller, marketing director for the Chamber/Bureau and Hans Fuegi, founder of the Park City Restaurant Association. They sat opposite the stage, against the wall, behind a line of tables with the bar in front of them, waiting for the competitors. By the time the contest began The Spur's dimly lit ambiance had taken over the evening. Much like a night at the bar, the contest played out with a whole variety of ups and downs: crowd-pleaser, Dano Bolton, takes the stage. Working at Cisero's. Bolton doesn't deal with a dinner crowd; he deals with a bar crowd. Shrugging off niceties, he mixes with laughs from the crowd and the judges and a sure hand. His drink is called the Park City Panty Remover. It consists of 1 oz. of Malibu Rum, 1/2 Oz. of 151 rum, 1/2 oz. Midori, pineapple juice and half and half. He makes it fast and hands the glasses over to the judges with a smile. The drink tastes smooth and melon-y, with a hint of something dangerous. •After another bartender comes Dave Carmclo, from Ringo. His drink is named Sex at Ringo's and he treats the crowd to the best showmanship of the night, shaking two drinks at once, flipping glasses and showing the skills from IS years of tending bar, "from the top of Main Street, to the bottom of Main Street," as he says. The announcer makes the first "Cocktail" reference of the evening: Carmeto is an older, balding Tom Cruise. The Competition Afler Melisa Doyle from Hapa Grill Tom Terry, from Done to Your Taste mixes her cocktail, a First Chair, Mike Catering, starts the event wearing black-tie Steadman from the Wasatch Brew Pub attire and snakeskin cowboy boots, "Park works next. He scores points for ease and City formal," he calls it. His drink, a speed with his drink - Wasatch Pale Ale Summit Spring, is a mix of creme de men- Reserve. While, at 5.6-percent alcohol, it is the, creme de cacao, and Stoli Vanil layered doubtlessly the least alcoholic drink of the over crushed ice, garnished with a swirled night; it earns smiles from the judges. Hershey's kiss. The judges take their first Three more bar tenders pass. The judges tentative sips, and the contest is underway. start to have a harder time adding the One bartender later, the evening's drink's scores. Michael Bobela, from Grappa Italian Restaurant, tends next, featuring the best background of any bartender; it includes immigrating from Greenland, karate, and "a search for the perfect cocktail." A judge spills one of (he drinks; the whole table cries. "'Party foul!" Steven Maxwell, of The Spur, makes, a Cougar Hook, next, displaying the most ease of all, working on his home turf. He performs some flips and earns style points. The judges begin to apologize for their offcolor comments; everyone agrees they can have a break. Dave Carmelo, standing off to the side of the bar, says he appreciates the event. "I'm enjoying every bit." he notes. The competition is difficult to judge, he Please see Cocktail contest, C-5 PHOTOS BY GRAYSON WEST/PARK RECORD Steven "Max" Maxwell mixes his Cougar Hook in the cocktail contest Best Kept Secret in Town Grocery LUNCH Retail Fresh catch of the day Prepared Foods Dips & Sauces Cheese platters Made fresh daily Soups & Salads Luncheon platters Sandwiches Picnic Baskets Serving plates Gifts Tableware Unique spices & marmalades Dee Smjood &• Grocery Open Monday - Saturday • 10am - 6pm • 1792 Bonanza Dr. (Behind Old Miner's Carwash) • 658-1700 |