Dayton mixologists will battle it out this week

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

First it was Dustin Wade from Meadowlark. 
Then it was Amber Brady from Lily's Bistro. 
Last year it was Nik Hunt from Coco's Bistro.

Who will be crowned the best bartender in the Miami Valley this year? Only time will tell.

Sixteen Dayton area barkeepswill participate in the 2016 Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders February 24  at White Allen European Auto Dealership.  Lily's Bistro bartender Amber Brady, (center)  won the battle in 2015. (Illustration by Amelia Robinson )

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The Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders event, now in its fourth year, has continued to gain interest from the community. Last year it sold out with more than 450 in attendance. 
"We do a lot of events focusing on the restaurants in town and we have a lot of talented bartenders and I thought, 'what about creating an event that focuses on them?'," said Amy Zahora Miami Valley Restaurant Association Executive Director. "We still have the food aspect there, but the main focus is the bartender."
More than 14 restaurants will be on hand serving food and libations to hungry diners. 
The drinks are shrouded in secrecy, but the food is being shared in advance.
Dishes include: 
• Shrimp and mango ceviche from Nibbles 
• Chorizo and grits from El Meson
• Walking tacos from Caddy's Taphouse
• Lemon Cake from Carver's
• Focaccia from Wheat Penny
• Sponge Cake from Wandering Griffin
• Poached Egg with Mushroom Ragu from elé cake co.

Each year the drinks match the food for creativity and flavor, and this year is sure to be no exception.

2017 Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders participating restaurants
Basil's on Market, 18 N. Market Street, Troy and 312 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton
Caddy's Tap House, 9400 N. Springboro Pike, Miamisburg
Carver's, 1535 Miamisburg Road, Washington Twp.
Chappys Social House, 7880 Washington Village Dr., Dayton
Coco's Bistro, 250 Warren Street, Dayton
El Meson, 903 E Dixie Dr., West Carrollton
elé Cake Co. Bistro and Wine Bar, 3680 Rigby Rd., Dayton
Lily's Bistro, 329 East Fifth St., Dayton
Mack's Tavern, 381 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville
Nelly's, 79 S. Main St., Centerville
Nibbles Restaurant & Catering, 105 S. Second St., Miamisburg
Roost American, 580 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering
Tank's Bar and Grill, 2033 Wayne Ave., Dayton
Wandering Griffin, 3725 Presidential Dr., Beavercreek
Wheat Penny, 515 Wayne Ave, Dayton

Want to go?
 WHAT: Miami Valley Restaurant Association's Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders
WHEN: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 22
WHERE: White Allen European Auto Dealership, 648 N. Springboro Pike, Miami Twp.
 COST: $20 which includes four sample cocktails and all food. Additional cocktails can be purchased. 
 INFO: DineoutDayton.com

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