“You can stop training,” my coach said to me. “The contest is off.” I put down my weighted shaker, took my headphones off, wiped the sweat from my brow and looked up in disbelief.
The suicide drills between the kitchen and the bar, squats on full cases of beer, lunges with magnum Champagne bottles in each hand, and shaking drills have filled up my free time – and now for what? As there would be no Best Bartender Contest this year in Bend.
“There’s just not been that much interest,” said Eric Flowers, Editor of The Source.
And I immediately think about Lance Armstrong and how he created a new spectacle in American cycling and I feel that perhaps it was my duty to create more energy and excitement in the Bend bartender scene. (Would it have been helpful if the bartenders of Bend had worn little brown rubber bracelets to bring attention to Cirrhosis of the Liver?)
The let down of not even being able to compete is greater than not winning. It’s always a fascinating competition as there are no rules other than being a bartender. You can win because of personality, speed, efficiency, style, hairstyle, or because you can balance 15 pint glasses on the top of your head while riding a unicycle and throwing flaming shakers in the air.
“What’s next?” I asked my coach. And he looked as baffled as me. But we both agreed on this, that it is the one time of the year where this profession gets some glory. That all of us who were supposed to become doctors and lawyers but who are still slinging drinks get our chance to be noticed for a week and for that to be gone, well it feels a little sad. So I declare this week, Week of The Bend Bartender, because there’s no doubt that you deserve it. Come on down, I’ll buy you a drink.
Congratulations!
1 chilled shot of Crater Lake Vodka
- Columbine QuillenI am a mixologist bartender and this is my blog.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s so funny. You know you’re the best.
We all know who’s the best. Q! Q! Q!