The drink was conceived by bar manager Thomas Morris. The wonderful dish accompanying it — an herb salad with cold poached shrimp, pickled cherry and pistachio gremolata garnished with slivers of Fresno chiles — was executed by the kitchen team of sous chef Hannah Cranmer and chef Nicholas Cheng.
Credit: Alexis Larsen
Credit: Alexis Larsen
“This was the ultimate team building project,” said Valenti of the win. “Collaboration, inspiration and hard, rewarding work. I am so proud of our entire Wheat Penny family.”
It’s the third win for Wheat Penny and the first for this team.
The staff joins an impressive list of past Battle of the Bartenders winners:
2020: Roland Eliason, The Winds “Gold Blooded”
2019: Carolyn Porter, Wheat Penny “Dutchess of Earl”
2018: Brock McKibben, Wheat Penny " Merchant’s Wife”
2017: Bill Castro, El Meson “Tamiami Miami”
2016: Nikolaus Hunt, Coco’s Bistro “Coco’s Ruby Slipper”
2015: Amber Brady, Lily’s Bistro “Rosemary’s Babee”
2014: Dustin Wade, Meadowlark “The Root of All Evil”
The People’s Choice prize went to an equally tasty winner...
The cocktail from Smiths’ Boathouse restaurant in Troy, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” was conceived and mixed by talented bartender Nicole Wilson.
The carrot based cocktail had wonderful layers of flavor to it thanks to a cilantro infused vodka, passion fruit puree, fennel liqueur, honey, chili powder and a dash of Tabasco topped with a green tomato foam.
Credit: Alexis Larsen
Credit: Alexis Larsen
Sound weird?
Yes, to us too, but the resulting cocktail was an absolutely delicious mix of sweet, citrus spice that danced on taste buds winning the crowd and this judge over.
Other runners up for the top prize at the sold out event held at the Steam Plant downtown were Carvers Steaks and Chops with a hibiscus based cocktail and Rip Rap Roadhouse with a coconut and raspberry martini.
Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.
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