Prime Cut: There will be Bloody Marys
| Wednesday, Oct 06 2010 05:04 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Oct 06 2010 05:58 PM
Best Bloody Bartender Battle
What: Contest to determine who makes the best Bloody Mary in town
When: Noon Sunday
Where: The Prime Cut, 9500 Brimhall Road
Cost: $2 per sample
Information: 831-1413
Images
The Bloody Mary at Prime Cut. There will be plenty to sample Sunday at the restaurant's Best Bloody Bartender Battle.
The Prime Cut's Best Bloody Bartender Battle is on tap this Sunday.
October is the month to let the spirit move you, although this Sunday at Prime Cut it's more about the spirits at the Best Bloody Bartender Battle.
Taking center stage at the third annual contest is the Bloody Mary. But this isn't your boring brunch-variety beverage. Prime Cut owner Merv Crist says a good Bloody Mary should be like a meal, one you "can eat with a fork."
Crist has been to other "bloody" competitions before, where winning drinks have included a vodka-and-Clamato version -- sometimes referred to as a Bloody Caesar -- and, to Crist, "that's not a Bloody Mary."
One of Crist's favorites was served at a dive bar off Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter. Waking up at 7:30 in the morning with a headache and the wife still asleep, the drink was "like a handful of Advil," Crist says.
As the restaurant's co-owner and bartender, the wife, Michelle, knows a thing or two about a good Bloody Mary herself. She also knows that you should come early as she said last year the restaurant was packed for the event, both in the dining room and the outdoor seating. The popular contest brings out mixologists from all over town. In previous years, contestants have included mix masters from Trout's, Goose Loonies, Cafe Med, Syndicate Lounge, Milt's Coffee Shop and reigning champ Vi's Cocktails.
To allow Prime Cut to compete as well, the Crists don't have anything to do with the judging. They leave the organization up to Shari and Mike George, who is president of the Kern chapter of the Kansas City Barbecue Society and has certified judges for the Bakersfield Biggest Baddest Barbecue Championships.
Actually ponying up to the bar to decide the top tipple are Barry Hibbard, a partner at Alta Sierra at Shirley Meadows, which is sponsoring the event along with Absolut Vodka; Bob Mills, the voice of the Bakersfield Condors; teacher Sydney Peterson; Teddy Spanke, lead singer of local band The Tex Pistols; and returning judge and KERN radio show host Scott Cox.
Cox is no easy judge. Although he didn't want to give away too many tips before the competition, he says when it comes to Bloody Marys, it's the spicier the better. With so many creative offerings, he says it takes something pretty far out to make it an experience. Cox describes himself as a connoisseur, saying "instead of 10 drinks that are crappy, just give me one that's the best."
As for his best Bloody Mary spots, he ranks the one at the Texas Chili Parlor in Austin, Texas, as his favorite. For local flair, he says if you can "beg and plead with" Fishlips co-owner Shauna Haddad-Byers, she has it in her to whip up the best in town. (Perhaps Cox is the only one lucky enough to convince her to make it.) He was also impressed with the Petroleum Club's offering in last year's contest.
Wherever he's enjoying one, Cox says it comes down to taste, not garnish. "I don't care about presentation. It could be in a Styrofoam cup," he says, while also mentioning that he's OK with a celery and olive topper.
If you want to test your own judging skills, customers can vote for fan favorite. Each sample is $2 and purchasing four samples gives you a ballot to vote for your No. 1 pick, Michelle Crist says.
Prime Cut has bragging rights as last year's fan favorite, but winners walk away with more than talk. in 2009, prizes included a beach cruiser, season pass to Alta Sierra and a $100 cash gift card. This year, the winner will also win an Alta Sierra season pass (valued at about $300), a dartboard valued at $200 and a $100 cash gift card. There will be prizes for second place and fan favorite as well.
And along with enjoying great drinks and fun, customers have a chance to win prizes, including a $50 gift card to Action Sports and Prime Cut cards.
