2nd Annual Bloody Mary Showdown coming this fall!
Stay tuned for more info…
Celebrating the first anniversary of local ad firm Lion + Panda turned into Dayton’s first Bloody Mary Showdown, sponsored by American Harvest Organic Vodka and produced by DaytonMostMetro.com and the ARC Ohio Associate Board. Held in the Coliseum at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 200 guests tasted their way through renditions of this classic brunch drink. Some were spicy, some were bold, some were even good for you, as they were chocked full of juiced vegetables. Local bartenders were recruited, and asked to bring 3 gallons of their best bloody mix and guests were asked to judge the event. Proceeds of the event were donated to the AIDS Resource Center Ohio.
Chef Matt Hayden of Scratch Event Catering provided a western inspired spread for the Showdown which included Texas inspired Eggs Benedict with Poached Egg, Smoked Beef Brisket, Smoked Gouda and Cilantro Lime Hollandaise on French Pastry, Border Home Fries toasted in cumin and coriander with Crumbled Chorizo and Mexican Crema on side. and scrumptious Tejano Chocolate Bites -Ancho Chili Infused Callebaut Dark Chocolate Bars with Candied Onion and Bacon Center.
On their way out each guest had just one vote to select their favorite Bloody Mary. Many of the participants were really challenged by this and suggested adding categories, like best garnish, most creative, most traditional, as well as best table decor. Look for those categories in the 2015 Bloody Mary Showdown.
The votes were very close and first through fourth place were only 7 votes apart. You’ll have to wait to taste the winning cocktail, created by MacKenzie Manley. She’s a bartender who spent years working at the Pour Haus, and is now in the process of opening her own place. Mack’s Tavern will be open in just a few weeks on St. Rt. 725 in Washington Township in the strip mall where The Melting Pot and Big Lots are. She describes her winning cocktail as Mack’s BBQ Burger Mary- a smokey, hearty, beefed up BBQ bloody mary that has a spicy sriracha salted rim and garnished with a sweet lil smokey wrapped in yummy caramelized bacon slice.
Second place was claimed by Tim Gross, representing McGillicutty’s Pub in Kettering. Tim shared with us that he started out as a customer, then worked the door, helped at as a bar back and eventually learned to bartend at the neighborhood tavern. He only works on Sunday’s and that shift helped him perfect his drink, which he calls Tim’s Sunday Vacation, garnished with a small salad, including celery, olive and green beans.
The ladies of Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery, which serves up brunch every weekend on Fifth Street, and were picked by many as the favorites heading into the contest, took third place with a bloody Erin Welch called the Radical Tomato.
Other participants included the owners of AleFest, Jennifer Dean and Amanda Pond, serving up Bloody Ale- a cocktail featuring the smoked porter from Warped Wing, instead of vodka. Gretchen Kelly represented Kohler’s Catering, Nicole Fiely and Emily Mendenhall served it up for Lily’s Bistro, Jamie Gaulding of World BBQ shared his Bloody BLT, while Constance Myers of Tuty’s Bar & Grill had a buffet of garnishes available. Smart Guy in a Tie Cocktails Brian Petro brought the heat, Suzy Switzer of Trolley Stop’s had a garden fresh veggietastic Bloody. The Oregon Distric was well represented with Natalie Chalita and Adela Gloady of Salar serving up a Red & Rye, Nicole Hiserman from Blind Bob’s, and Kristen Todd from Tumbleweed Connection all offering something slightly different.
The Bloody Mary Showdown takes place on Saturday, October 11th from 11am to 2pm at The Coliseum at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. There are two ways you can participate in this event: you can compete for the title of “Best Bloody Mary in Dayton” or you can judge the entries!
Think your Bloody Mary has what it takes? PROVE IT!
To enter the competition, click here. There is a $25 entrance fee and we will provide you with American Harvest Vodka, sample cups, celery, sip sticks, ice and a covered table. You bring your own bloody mary mix and any special garnishes you’d like.
What can you win? First place gets $300, will be featured on MostMetro.com and wins a 3 month advertising contract as well as having bragging rights for a year!
Want to judge the entries? Your opinion counts, participants will vote for Dayton’s Best Bloody Mary! For $25, you’ll get to sample at least six 3oz cocktails and brunch snacks prepared by Scratch Foods. You can purchase a judging package online or by calling 461-2437.
Proceeds from the Bloody Mary Showdown benefit the AIDS Resource Center Ohio. Ohio’s premier nonprofit provider of a comprehensive and coordinated response to HIV/AIDS, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. It uses a holistic approach to address the physical, emotional and social needs of those living with HIV/AIDS in a way that brings hope, healing and empowerment. ARC Ohio provides medical care, pharmacy and other direct services to more than 4,500 HIV-positive individuals, and testing, prevention, outreach and advocacy to tens of thousands statewide.
