2022 Bartender of the Year Competition Recap:
MEET THE 2022 BARTENDER OF THE YEAR - CARLA IRENE, BAR LA FÊTE
Carla Irene of Bar La Fête in Birmingham is Alabama’s 2022 Bartender of the Year. The annual competition is held in conjunction with the Stars of the Industry Awards presented by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association and Old Forester.
Regional competitions were held across the state during the month of October. The top finalists from Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile were invited to compete at the state final.
On November 14, the regional winners competed for the title, coveted trophy and a $1,500 grand prize at the The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University.
Contestants drew two random ingredients and were tasked with creating their own cocktail variation on the fly. The judges evaluated the competitors on use of assigned ingredients, technique, taste, presentation, showmanship, and time management.
Although Carla has only been bartending for six years, she is no stranger to the creative side of making cocktails. Beginning with her first bartending position at The Hound in Auburn, she has always had a strong focus in what makes a cocktail balanced and cohesive. She began working at craft cocktail bars and this really allowed her to develop her skills in creating drinks with the speed and quality that prepared her for this competition. “The new competition format was a test in how far I have come as a professional bartender, but also reminded me how much fun it is being in an environment where you are forced to completely trust your instinct. This has been an incredible experience for me and I cannot wait to continue on this path,” said Carla.
Regional competitions were held across the state during the month of October. The top finalists from Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile were invited to compete at the state final.
On November 14, the regional winners competed for the title, coveted trophy and a $1,500 grand prize at the The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University.
Contestants drew two random ingredients and were tasked with creating their own cocktail variation on the fly. The judges evaluated the competitors on use of assigned ingredients, technique, taste, presentation, showmanship, and time management.
Although Carla has only been bartending for six years, she is no stranger to the creative side of making cocktails. Beginning with her first bartending position at The Hound in Auburn, she has always had a strong focus in what makes a cocktail balanced and cohesive. She began working at craft cocktail bars and this really allowed her to develop her skills in creating drinks with the speed and quality that prepared her for this competition. “The new competition format was a test in how far I have come as a professional bartender, but also reminded me how much fun it is being in an environment where you are forced to completely trust your instinct. This has been an incredible experience for me and I cannot wait to continue on this path,” said Carla.
STATE COMPETITION
REGIONAL COMPETITIONS
Huntsville
Host: Westin Hotel Huntsville
1st - Cody Sowell (Vintage Cigar Lounge) 2nd - Katie Wilson Lee (Church Street Purveyor) 3rd - Amber Triche (Church Street Family) People’s Choice Award - Matt Ortega (Catacomb 435) Montgomery
Host: Ravello Ristorante
1st- Josh Hungerford (Ravello Ristorante) 2nd- Kayla Treat (Vintage Year) 3rd- Elizabeth Barton (Lucy’s Auburn) People’s Choice Award - Kayla Treat (Vintage Year) |
Birmingham
Host: The Lumbar
1st- Carla Irene (Bar La Fête) 2nd- Nick Knaebel (Cayo Coco Rum Bar & Restaurant) 3rd- Azul Weber (Queen’s Park) People’s Choice Award – Hyatt Webb (Session, Tuscaloosa) Mobile
Host: Las Floriditas
1st Place - Corey Martin (8 Reale) 2nd Place - Danny Rivas (The Hope Farm) 3rd Place - Amy Eady (Fly Bar) People’s Choice Award - Danny Rivas (The Hope Farm) |
