Todd Walker, Head Bartender at Secreto Lounge at Hotel St Francis, got the tip of a lifetime Sunday as he won the Santa Fe Harvest Festival Bar Wars. His winning ”after dinner” styled drink was a super hit with the tasting judges, and he received an almost perfect score on technique.
The Bar Wars Competiton started last week at Buffalo Thunder with 21 of Santa Fe’s top bartenders making drinks with Tequila Avion. The top 10 finalists went shaker to shaker at the Eldorado battling it out again using Absolut Vodka nad Kahlua. Each bartender was judged on creativity, use of the base spirits, balance, flavor, garnish, presentation and technique. With a total possible score of 100 points, Walker final score was 96.
First prize was $1000, and bragging rights with an engraved Nambe trophy in the shape of a cocktail shaker that will be displayed at Secreto Lounge until next years competiton. Runners up in the Bar Wars were Tony Fiorina of Milagro 139 at second and Dana Lutrell from Tiny’s taking third.
Walker’s drink will be a feature on the menu at Secreto Lounge for the next year.
