Bartenders from around the state gathered at the Deadwood Mountain Grand over the weekend for South Dakota’s first ever State Bartending Championships. Participants competed in categories including flair and original cocktail recipe for cash prizes.
People gathered in the Deadwood Mountain Grand bar as contestants of the South Dakota State Bartending Championships threw bottles and glasses for the flair contest.
Brad Kaplan is a career bartender from Denver and judge at the contest. He says this competition is a great opportunity for bartenders.
“The bartender that wins, or even any bartender that competes, they get to promote themselves and the bar where they work. So it’s an excellent marketing opportunity to get people to come and see them and with their original cocktails. You know, hey you made that for the judges, I want you to make one for me. So it increases sales in your bar and your overall notoriety,” says Kaplan.
Kaplan says it can be difficult to perform in front of a crowd, especially for bartenders who have never competed. But, he says these events encourage contestants to keep practicing and contestants hone their craft.
The competition was part of Deadwood’s annual Forks, Corks and Kegs Festival. Tickets to the festival sold out this year.
Here is a list of this year's winners...
South Dakota’s Best Bartender
1st Place Katrina Kern from Watertown
2nd Place – Carol Flicek from Clear Lake
Flair
1st Place Ethan Plumb – Rapid City
Original Cocktail
1st Place Ethan Plumb from Rapid City
2nd Place Original Cocktail – Katrina Kern from Watertown