Freelance Food & Drinks Writer

GKCBC Recap

It’s still a buzz seeing something I wrote in print, even 20-odd years on as a journalist. But I’m a perfectionist, so reading my own work can be as frustrating as it is satisfying. In today’s case, it was the realization that I didn’t list all the winners and finalists in my Kansas City Star piece about the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition in August.

Sure, I blogged about it all the day after, but some of those reading the paper might not have been among those who read that entry. So here goes:

1st Valdez Campos, Manifesto/The Rieger, Kansas City

2nd Justin Richardson, The American, Kansas City

3rd Chad George, Demun Oyster Bar, St. Louis

Fan Favorite Tony Beyer, Benton’s Prime Chop House, Kansas City

And congrats also to the finalists…

Matthew Herman, Trezo Vino, Leawood

Jason Kimbrel, Tannin Wine Bar, Kansas City

Shannon Ponche, Taste, St. Louis

Berto Santoro, Extra Virgin, Kansas City

Matt Seiter, Sanctuaria,  St. Louis

Travis Stewart, Chaz on The Plaza, Kansas City

Jennifer Tosatto, Manifesto/The Rieger, Kansas City

Paige Unger, M&S Grill, Kansas City

Jon Yeager, Watanabe Sushi & Asian Cuisine, Nashville, Tenn.

Curious what they won? First place received $1,000, plus a scholarship to attend the Beverage Alcohol Resource Education Program sponsored by Phenix Spirits. Second, $500. Third, $250. Original recipes from the top three will be published in Cheers Magazine. And all GKCBC finalists are enrolled in BarSmarts Advanced, courtesy Beverage Alcohol Resource and Pernod Ricard USA.