Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/12827
Competition The Vodka Martini Shakedown RoSA’S IN PISMO BEACH IS HOME BASE TO SOME ABSOLUT WINNERS photos and story by Mike Magda Chef Douglas MacMillan of Rosa’s congratulates Ralph Lizarraga and Jen Pheasant of San Luis Obispo’s Koberl at Blue for the winning abSLOlut Mary Martini. Winning Recipes abSLOlut Mary Martini 2½ oz. Absolut Peppar 4 oz. fresh homemade tomatillo mix using local herbs and produce Salted rim with Alaea Hawaiian sea salt Fresh garnish A zesty fusion of Absolut Peppar and fresh tomatillo mix won over the judges at the third annual Central Coast Vodka Martini Shakedown. Sponsored by Rosa’s Ristorante Italiano in Pismo Beach, the June 6 charity competition matched two-person bartending teams from ten area restaurants on California’s Central Coast. A panel of eight judges made up of local media, government officials and culinary experts sampled the Absolut vodka–inspired drinks before Chef Douglas MacMillan announced the winners: 1st Place – Jen Pheasant and Ralph Lizarraga of Koberl at Blue in San Luis Obispo 2nd Place – Jared Moore and Jay Britton of Steamers of Pismo 3rd Place – Nick Zachary and Dan Chartz of F. McLintocks Saloon (four locations on the Central Coast) The winning drink is named “abSLOlut Mary Martini” to recognize Blue’s hometown in San Luis Obispo, nicknamed SLO, and the team’s Martini twist on the Bloody Mary. The People’s Choice award, as voted on by the more than 150 guests who paid $60 each to sample the drinks, went to Moore and Britton with their “Fresh Bluegrasstini.” Proceeds go to the Rosa MacMillan Scholarship. Chef MacMillan set up the fund to honor the family restaurant’s matriarch and eventually send local students to culinary school or college for restaurant manage- ment. In the first two years the proceeds helped local food banks, and this year the event benefited the culinary arts program at Arroyo Grande High School. 80 / the tasting panel / july 2010 The team of Jared Moore and Jay Britton from Steamers of Pismo captured the People’s Choice award. Fresh Bluegrasstini Muddled fresh blueberries and blackberries 1 leaf each organic mint and basil 1½ oz. Absolut Citron Splash of sweet ‘n sour Squeeze of lemon Splash of 7UP