ARTICLE
Marc Adrian Estuche of Holloway Restaurant Group claimed the title Cocktail Shakedown Champion by creating an outstanding cocktail using the final championship mystery ingredient Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey. This was the ninth annual Oklahoma Restaurant Association Cocktail Shakedown at the ORA Expo on August 23, 2023. Estuche was one of several bartenders scoring the highest number of total points in the first and second rounds of the competition, qualifying him to advance and compete in the Championship Round. Grooving to the beat of the music, Estuche prepared his final concoction in the Championship Round which earned him a $1,000 cash prize, the Grand Champion belt, and a feature in the upcoming quarterly ORA magazine. Jameson Johns of Flamingo Tiki also showed his creative talents throughout the day, eventually claiming second place and walking away with a $500 cash prize. Additionally, each competitor received a gift basket full of competition swag provided by Republic National Distributing Co. “It’s hard to believe we are approaching our tenth anniversary of the event and with each year we see more and more creativity in utilizing the newest products entering the spirits industry” said Patti Colley, ORA Chief Strategy Officer. “The ORA is thrilled each year to give member bartenders throughout Oklahoma the chance to show their skills and compete for prize money.” Estuche and Johns competed against 7 other Oklahoma bartenders from ORA member restaurants. Each bartender was judged on taste and balance, originality, and drink and stage presentation while utilizing spirits presented by Republic National Distributing Co. Other competing bartenders included Spencer Barrett with Palace Restaurant Group; Hannah Benninghoven, Tulsan Athletic Club; Sara Moore, Bar 473; Victoria Frazer, The Tulsan; Angel Perez, The Jones Assembly; Gabriel Fountain, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop; Caleb Shelton, Coury Hospitality; and Dylan Kemp, Milo at The Ellison. The esteemed judges consisted of industry professionals Julia McLish of Barkeep Supply OKC, J Mays of The Hamilton Supperette & Lounge; Leith Ezell of Traditions Hospitality Group and Jesse Way of the Holloway Restaurant Group. The Cocktail Shakedown was presented in partnership with Platinum Partners Coca-Cola, Visit Oklahoma City, Republic National Distributing Company, and Traditions Hospitality Group. Gold Partners include 110 Events, GoFresh Produce, Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation, and Superior Linen Service. Heat Partners: Stoli Chamoy, Hendrick’s Flora Adora, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Whiskey, Templeton Whiskey, 400 Conesios Mezcal Artesanal, 1800 Cristalino Tequila, Yellowstone Bourgon Dos Maderas Rum and Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey. Founded in 1933, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association is the trade association of restaurants and foodservice operations, the state's largest private industry employer. Representing more than 4,000 restaurants and members, the ORA actively monitors legislation and regulatory agencies; helps foodservice management develop and strengthen business; and develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually.
Marc Adrian Estuche of Holloway Restaurant Group claimed the title Cocktail Shakedown Champion by creating an outstanding cocktail using the final championship mystery ingredient Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey. This was the ninth annual Oklahoma Restaurant Association Cocktail Shakedown at the ORA Expo on August 23, 2023.
Estuche was one of several bartenders scoring the highest number of total points in the first and second rounds of the competition, qualifying him to advance and compete in the Championship Round.
Grooving to the beat of the music, Estuche prepared his final concoction in the Championship Round which earned him a $1,000 cash prize, the Grand Champion belt, and a feature in the upcoming quarterly ORA magazine. Jameson Johns of Flamingo Tiki also showed his creative talents throughout the day, eventually claiming second place and walking away with a $500 cash prize. Additionally, each competitor received a gift basket full of competition swag provided by Republic National Distributing Co.
“It’s hard to believe we are approaching our tenth anniversary of the event and with each year we see more and more creativity in utilizing the newest products entering the spirits industry” said Patti Colley, ORA Chief Strategy Officer. “The ORA is thrilled each year to give member bartenders throughout Oklahoma the chance to show their skills and compete for prize money.”
Estuche and Johns competed against 7 other Oklahoma bartenders from ORA member restaurants. Each bartender was judged on taste and balance, originality, and drink and stage presentation while utilizing spirits presented by Republic National Distributing Co. Other competing bartenders included Spencer Barrett with Palace Restaurant Group; Hannah Benninghoven, Tulsan Athletic Club; Sara Moore, Bar 473; Victoria Frazer, The Tulsan; Angel Perez, The Jones Assembly; Gabriel Fountain, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop; Caleb Shelton, Coury Hospitality; and Dylan Kemp, Milo at The Ellison.
The esteemed judges consisted of industry professionals Julia McLish of Barkeep Supply OKC, J Mays of The Hamilton Supperette & Lounge; Leith Ezell of Traditions Hospitality Group and Jesse Way of the Holloway Restaurant Group.
The Cocktail Shakedown was presented in partnership with Platinum Partners Coca-Cola, Visit Oklahoma City, Republic National Distributing Company, and Traditions Hospitality Group. Gold Partners include 110 Events, GoFresh Produce, Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation, and Superior Linen Service. Heat Partners: Stoli Chamoy, Hendrick’s Flora Adora, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Whiskey, Templeton Whiskey, 400 Conesios Mezcal Artesanal, 1800 Cristalino Tequila, Yellowstone Bourgon Dos Maderas Rum and Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey.
Founded in 1933, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association is the trade association of restaurants and foodservice operations, the state's largest private industry employer. Representing more than 4,000 restaurants and members, the ORA actively monitors legislation and regulatory agencies; helps foodservice management develop and strengthen business; and develops the membership to do together for the industry what cannot be done individually.