Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/33511
Spontaneous Concoctions THE INDUSTRY SENT IN THEIR BEST TO REPRESENT DISTRIBUTORS AT OUR FIRST IRON MIXOLOGIST COMPETITON AT WSWA by E. C. Gladstone / photos by Tom Clark T here are a lot of bartenders who can craft a won- derful drink these days. But who can take a mystery ingredient and make magic from scratch—with the clock ticking? That’s what THE TASTING PANEL wanted to find out when we sponsored the inaugural Iron Mixologist competition at this year’s Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida in April. Drew Levinson of Wirtz Beverage Nevada. With our own Tony Abou-Ganim as Executive Director, we challenged six wholesaler mixologists to create an aperitif, a long drink and a dessert drink, using surprise ingredients. Each was allowed to bring any ingredients and tools they wished, but had to share with all contestants. The competitors: • Chris Chamberlain of Capital Wine & Spirits, Pioneer Division/Charmer Sunbelt Caterina Machi-Miltenberger of Glazer’s Wholesale was crowned Iron Mixologist at THE TASTING PANEL’S first Iron Mixology competition at WSWA. 126 / the tasting panel / june 201 1 • Sly Cosmopoulos of Republic National Distributing • Drew Levinson of Wirtz Beverage Nevada • Caterina “Cat” Machi-Miltenberger of Glazer’s Wholesale • Tim Rita, Jr., President of USBG Hawaii and Mixologist, Lewers Lounge at Halekulani Hotel, Honolulu, representing SW&S • Nathan Way of Horizon Wine & Spirits