To emphasize the beverage selection and talent behind the bar, the management of Phillips Seafood Restaurants developed a mixology competition that culminated in mid-December 2008. The chain of award-winning restaurants, which is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. with locations across the Eastern coast, added the winning drinks to its menus nationwide.
"We are very excited to incorporate our bartenders' talents into our beverage programming," says John Knorr, senior vice president for Phillips Foods & Seafood Restaurants. "It ties into our beverage theme for 2009, which is initiating fun sales by cultivating creativity with cocktails, traditions and dreams."
Phillips invited each restaurant to have its own bartenders compete against those from the other locations in The Shaken or Stirred Bartender Recipe Contest. Each contestant designed cocktails in two categories — hot and frozen specialty drinks — featuring Kahlúa, Prairie Organic Vodka and a cherry garnish. Both winners hailed from Phillips Seafood Harborplace in Baltimore.
Daniel Schulman won for his Prairie Berry Hot Cocoa, including Kahlúa, Prairie Organic Vodka, DeKuyper Raspberry Rush and hot cocoa topped with a drizzle of chocolate, whipped cream and a cherry. The winner of the frozen specialty drink category was Phil Thomas for his Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, which combined Kahlúa, Prairie, Island Oasis Ice Cream and strawberry mixer topped with a drizzle of chocolate and strawberry.