It was smokin’ at the beautiful Riverview in Simsbury Thursday night for Faith’s Food Schmooze Martini Competition to benefit WNPR and CPTV.
Food Schmooze Gold
Plan B’s Smokin’ with James
Creators: Eric Williams and Jim Wishnoski
Food Schmooze Silver
Quench Cafe’s Night of Passion
Creator: Rob Martini
Food Schmooze Bronze
Max Burger’s Blueberry Mo-Tini
Creator: Jason Sowik
Food Schmooze Craft Winner
Judge: Anthony DeSerio, Guild President, CT Chapter, US Bartenders’ Guild
Barley Vine’s Life’s Rich Tapestry
Creator: Khalid Williams
The Food Schmooze team mixed it up with more than 700 revelers at the sold-out event. Ticket holders sampled creative “martini cocktails” and voted and then noshed at stations serving knockout food from many of Connecticut’s top restaurants.
“The dancing was hot, the light show was sizzlin’, and setting an attendance record was thrilling,” says Faith. “Yet mostly I’m struck by how talented our Connecticut bartenders are. They could enter and conceivably win at any international competition. We’re so grateful for their participation and so proud of them.”
The Food Schmooze thanks those of you who attended the event—it was fantastic for us to meet you in person. We are beyond grateful to the restaurants, bartenders, and staff who generously supported the knockout party of the season. Riverview, you were at your best, and thanks a million. And tremendous gratitude to the entire team at WNPR and CPTV who did so much great work behind the scenes to make the event a roaring—and we mean roaring—success.
As always, our cocktail recipes, food recipes, value wines, tips, and lessons are here on the site. Faith, Chris Prosperi, Alex Province, and Lori Mack can’t believe how many of you have become our “Food Schmooze pals” by visiting as often as you do here at foodschmooze.org.
Alison says
Why is here no description of the three winners?
Faith Middleton says
We celebrated the three martini winners with many photographs at our website and in Connecticut magazine, and, of course, on The Food Schmooze (R).
Cheers and thanks for writing.
Shela Mike says
What a fantastic night! What a difficult choice to make… just one(?) as the best!!!! Thank you for such a great time 🙂
Lori Mack says
Shela, it was an amazing night, the largest crowd yet. What a happy scene. Can’t wait for the next one. Cheers! Faith
Michele Doucette says
This was my second Martini Competition. It was great fun, however, my party was disappointed that so little food accompanied the cocktails this year in comparison to last year. Even if the competitors were not providing small tidbits to compliment their creations, it would have been beneficial if some type of food was provided for the party goers, especially since the event took place during the dinner hour. There was a lot of alcohol to be consumed with nothing to help to ease its affects. While the cupcakes were yummy, they were not dinner fare. With that being said, it was still a lovely event.
Robyn Doyon-Aitken says
We hear you, Michele. We’ve got a whole year to plan for the next competition and getting more food there is a top priority. The chicken and waffles were a hit, and so was Bear’s sausage and cornbread, but yes. . .more food next year. Definitely!