News from Scout supporter George

Vancouver, BC | The George 2010 Mixlympic Games saw ten intensely competitive bartenders – 6 international, 4 Canadian – compete head-to-head in a black box style event. The results are in. Mark Brand, co-owner of Boneta and the Diamond in Gastown, took home the gold medal, winning a $500 cash prize sponsored by Martin Miller’s Gin, an Arc’teryx jacket, and priceless international bragging rights. Silver went home with David Grieg of London’s All Star Lanes and Bronze went to Vancouver’s own Jay Jones of Pourhouse.

Each of the 10 entries had to include Martin Miller’s Gin and at least one of other secret black box ingredients: Venturi Shulze 25 year old aged balsamic, from Edible BC; R&B Brewing Canadian Iceholds Lager and Maker’s Mark White Dog Whiskey, both used in the winning drink; Mary Bay Points Oyster from the Lobster Man; and Vista d’Oro Farms Campari blood orange vanilla preserve.

“Mark’s drink, titled Angela the Grand Dame, was very well balanced,” said Shaun Layton, head bartender at George Lounge and Mixlympic judge. “He had some juniper berries in it, which complemented the gin and whisky, some egg white for frothiness and a Canada flag carved out of grapefruit. He got full marks for presentation too, using a Petro-Canada glass from the 1988 Olympics.”

The international contestants are:

Joe Stokoe – Bar Manager for all three All Star Lanes, London, UK
Abdul Kpekawa – Bartender, All Star Lanes, London, UK
David Grieg – Bartender, All Star Lanes, London, UK
Ola Carlson – Bartender, Box 101, Stockholm, Sweden
Nicolos de Soto – Bartender, Experimental Cocktail Club & Curio Parlour, Paris, France
Charles Tan – Bartender, China Club, Paris, France.

Representing Canada were:

Mark Brand – Owner, Boneta and The Diamond, Vancouver
David Wolowidnyk – Bar Manager, West, Vancouver
Jay Jones – Owner, The Pourhouse, Vancouver
Darryl Macdonald – Bartender, Port, Toronto

The extremely talented judges who will have the enviable job of tasting the cocktails and choosing the best were:

Rebecca Bollwitt – Vancouver Blogger, Miss 604
Jay Garnett – President, Whitefish Group
Shaun Layton – Bar Manager, George Ultra Lounge
Andrew Morrison – Editor, Scout Magazine
Neal Mclennan – Editor, Western Living Magazine
George Oliphant – Host, NBC LX-TV
Joanne Sasvari – Freelance Journalist and Mixology Expert

Meet George

George Ultra Lounge is the Godfather of Vancouver’s cocktail culture. Modeled in the London style, George pioneered the cocktail kitchen concept in Canada when it opened in 2005. Today, with award-winning Shaun Layton behind the bar, George continues to pour proper classic and market-fresh cocktails, complimented by a dinner and late night menu through 2 a.m. George is located at 1137 Hamilton Street in Yaletown, and online at georgelounge.com. For reservations, or to secure the private room, phone 604.628.5555.

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