[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][minti_image img=”974″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][minti_divider margin=”10px 0 10px 0″][minti_box style=”6″]

8 Top DC bartenders competed for prizes and title of Top Dog in a craft cocktail competition to benefit The Humane Rescue Alliance.

The bartenders crafted cocktails using BlueHenry all-natural garnishes and simple syrups and El Silencio Artisan Mezcal in tournament style matchups until the winners were chosen!

Mai Templeton won Top Dog!

Richard Torres won People’s Choice!

[/minti_box][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column bg_color=”#9eaea4″ width=”1/1″][minti_headline size=”fontsize-l” align=”align-left”]The Judges[/minti_headline][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][minti_member img=”1029″ name=”M. Carrie Allan” role=”Cocktail Columnist, The Washington Post” twitter=”@Carrie_the_Red”][/minti_member][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]M. Carrie Allan writes about cocktails and spirits for the Washington Post and other publications, and is the senior editorial director at the Humane Society of the United States.  She has won recognition for her work from the Spirited Awards, the Dog and Cat Writer’s associations, the AFJ, the IACP and was the finalist for a James Beard Award.  If you think there’s a connection between her work in animal welfare and her desire for a good drink … you’re right.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][minti_member img=”1038″ name=”Chef Amy Brandwein” role=”Executive Chef | Owner, Centrolina” twitter=”@CentrolinaDC”][/minti_member][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Amy Brandwein is the chef and owner of Centrolina, a combined seasonal Italian restaurant and market located in CityCenterDC. Throughout her career, Chef Brandwein has earned many accolades, including recognition in 2017 and 2018 as a James Beard Foundation Award finalist in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category. In June of 2018, Chef Brandwein won the coveted title of Chef of the Year at the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) RAMMY Awards.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][minti_member img=”1082″ name=”Chef Kwame Onwuachi” role=”Executive Chef, Kith/Kin Founder | Chef, Philly Wing Fry”][/minti_member][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]Born in the Bronx and trained in classical French cuisine at the Culinary Institute of America, Kwame Onwuachi is currently the Executive Chef and Creator of Afro-Caribbean cuisine hot-spot, Kith/Kin in Washington, D.C. His interest in food was sparked by his mother who operated a catering company while he was growing up. Kwame started his own catering company at the age of 20 before working in some highly regarded restaurants including New York’s Eleven Madison Park and Per Se.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][minti_member img=”991″ name=”Carlie Steiner” role=”Co-Owner | Beverage Director, Himitsu”][/minti_member][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column bg_color=”#9eaea4″ width=”1/1″][minti_headline size=”fontsize-l” align=”align-left”]The Contestants[/minti_headline][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][minti_masonrygrid][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” size=”masonry_rp” image=”1006″ title=”Richard Torres, Silver New American Braisserie” link=”www.instagram.com/rich_onthe_rocks” target=”_self”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” image=”1002″ title=”Mai Templeton, Service Bar” link=”www.instagram.com/mai0maitai” target=”_blank”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” image=”997″ title=”Jazmyne Wade, Union District Oyster Bar & Lounge” link=”www.instagram.com/melanin_x_magic” target=”_self”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” size=”masonry_rp” image=”1000″ title=”Kyle Fuller, Hanks at the Wharf” link=”www.instagram.com/hellobartender” target=”_blank”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” size=”masonry_rl” image=”999″ title=”Keith Vinluan, Bourbon Steak” link=”www.instagram.com/Panungkeith ” target=”_self”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” image=”1050″ title=”Marcus McPhail, Wicked Bloom” link=”www.instagram.com/slimadh” target=”_self”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” image=”995″ title=”Ethan Fellers, Founding Farmers” link=”www.instagram.com/efellers” target=”_blank”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][minti_masonrygrid_item style=”masonry_image” image=”1072″ title=”Sonya Znati, Tico” link=”www.instagram.com/sconeznat” target=”_self”][/minti_masonrygrid_item][/minti_masonrygrid][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][minti_headline size=”fontsize-l” lineheight=”lh-15″ align=”align-left” margin=”40px 0 40px 0″]The Charity[/minti_headline][vc_column_text]

The Humane Rescue Alliance protects animals, supports families, and advocates for positive change to create a world where all animals can thrive.

They enrich the humanity of our communities by promoting compassion and encouraging people to find joy, comfort, and companionship through the love and appreciation of animals.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_center=”true” width=”1/3″][minti_spacer height=”60″][minti_image img=”1009″ lightbox=”2″ url=”www.humanerescuealliance.org” target=”_blank” img_size=”medium” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][minti_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][minti_headline size=”fontsize-l” align=”align-left”]The Sponsors[/minti_headline][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column column_center=”true” width=”1/2″][minti_image img=”14″ lightbox=”2″ url=”www.bluehenryspirits.com” target=”_blank” img_size=”medium” align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Complex. Not Complicated. Hand crafted, perfectly portioned additions to your favorite base liquor, tonic, or soda.  BlueHenry all-natural Bittered Cotton Candy Divvys, Candied Fruit Garnish, and Syrups take all of the guesswork out of how to craft the perfect drink – leaving more time to enjoy the experience. Created by DC entrepreneur and former FDA executive, Adrienne Walker.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column column_center=”true” width=”1/2″][minti_image img=”1005″ lightbox=”2″ url=”https://www.silencio.com/” target=”_blank” img_size=”medium” align=”center”][vc_column_text]

El Silencio revived the ancient art of artisanal mezcal, pioneering a unique approach and delivering the hand-crafted spirit to a new generation of creative drinkers and cultural innovators. Founded in Santa Monica in 2013, the company creates its mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico, using the traditional process carried on by generations of mezcaleros. Meticulously picked agaves are roasted, crushed, and double distilled resulting in a full-bodied flavor. El Silencio goes beyond the bottle, transforming the ordinary and disrupting the status quo. Owned in part by top DC bartender Torrence Swain.

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