Is Your Signature Cocktail Worth $5,000?

By Roger Kamholz in Food on Mar 10, 2011 7:20PM

The National Restaurant Association is calling all bartenders, both amateur and professional, to enter its 2011 Star of the Bar competition, which will take place during the NRA's International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event at McCormick Place May 21 to 24. To enter, you must submit a two-minute video to YouTube in which you demonstrate making an inventive, original cocktail that includes at least one product made by Bacardi, the competition sponsor. Six semi-finalists will be chosen to showcase their drinks at the IWSB event, and the grand prize winner will walk off with 5,000 bucks.

As you craft your winning recipe, follow these tips from the NRA: "Use of fresh ingredients, keeping in mind technical skill, taste and marketability is encouraged." You have until April 1 to upload your video and complete the entry form. The competition was first held last year, and the winner has gone on to a head-bartending gig at a swanky Las Vegas lounge. With the finals taking place on our home turf, we're hoping to see a local take the crown this year.

For more information, including links to contest rules and entry requirements, go here.

Photo courtesy of the National Restaurant Association.