Gay South Florida
Stoli Original Key West Cocktail Classic finale May 29-31; stars include Andrew Christian, Bruce Vilanch
May 27, 2014
News release from Stephen Murray-Smith of Florida Keys & Key West and Key West Business Guild:
The Stoli Original Key West Cocktail Classic is a national LGBT bartending competition in partnership with the Key West Business Guild inviting trade staff from our community’s most exciting LGBT entertainment venues to showcase their skill and authenticity in creating Stoli Original cocktails in key markets across the country.
The winner of each local event will receive a Stoli Bartender Kit or gift basket, their picture and winning recipe at KeyWestCocktailClassic.com, media exposure, and an all-expense paid trip to Key West (accommodation and airfare compliments of the Key West Business Guild) for the Finale including a welcome party at Island House on May 29th and day of “fun in the sun” on May 30th. The finale event on Saturday, May 31st will be held on world-famous Duval Street on a specially constructed stage in front of the Bourbon Street Pub and hosted by National LGBT Ambassador for Stolichnaya Patrik Gallineaux and streamed live across the world. The final ceremony will run from 5 to 8 PM.
The celebrity judging panel will include star of network TV including “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, Broadway, and so much more, Jai Rodriguez, clothing designer Andrew Christian, legendary funnyman Bruce Vilanch, Senior Vice-President for Stoli USA Lori Tieszen, and locally well known Key West personality and star of internationally televised annual New Year’s Eve high heel drop Sushi.
The Regional mixologist winners arriving this week to compete with their signature Stoli Key West Cocktails hail from LGBT bars in San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Provincetown, Denver, and Washington DC.
The national winner will receive the title of Stoli Original Key West Cocktail Champion 2014, a bartender “Dream Library” of 50 hand-selected essential trade books, an additional national exposure via the opportunity to design the signature Stoli Original cocktail menu for national LGBT program Stoli Guy 2014, and $5000 for the winner’s pre-selected LGBT or LGBT friendly charity of choice.
Come out Saturday May 31 at 5 PM and support Key West as the island hosts this national fun event.
