Chocolate City’s Best Annual Cocktail Competition
Chocolate City’s Best Cocktail Competition 2021
Chocolate City’s Best 2021 Winners
Chocolate City’s Best 2021 Top 10 Finalist
2021 Sponsors
Chocolate City’s Best Cocktail Competition 2020
Chocolate City’s Best 2020 Winners
Linda Garcia | Queens, NY
Emmanuel Hernandez | Watsonville, CA
Monniquer Peacock | Ft. Washington, MD
Chocolate City’s Best 2020 Top 10 Finalist
2020 SPONSORS
Chocolate City’s Best Cocktail Competition 2019
Competition Date(s)
October 6th, 7th & 8th
Chocolate City’s Best 2019 cocktail competition exceeded all expectations…
During the 2nd annual competition, 10 competitors, from across the country, came together in Washington, D.C to participate in a three-day series.
On the first day, the competitors were welcomed into the competitor house and given the competition guidelines. They then received a dinner & spirit tasting hosted by Founding Spirits at Farmers & Distillers. After dinner, the competitors were put to the test with an impromptu competition to showcase their online submissions to three illustrious judges.
On the second day, the competitors were welcomed by Cotton & Reed distillery for a private tour and tasting, followed by a private lunch sponsored by Campari and Cotton & Reed. During this time, our competitors also pillaged the shops of Union market to find exciting ingredients for their new cocktail concoctions.
On this day, competitors were invited to a private spice shop experience where they were able to have 1-on-1 time with their assigned mentors. They then participated in a panel discussion hosted by Edrington Spirits, followed by a private dinner at Hazel, hosted by White Plates, Black Faces & Santa Teresa 1796.
On the third & last day, each competitor showcased what they learned over the previous days and gave us their best in their final cocktails.
Ceasar “ Cheese” Martinez, from Laredo, TX, took home the title for overall winner.
Chocolate City’s Best 2019 Winners
Cesar Martinez, TX
Galvin Medrano, DC
Donald Brown, VA
Chocolate City’s Best 2019 Top 10 Finalist
2019 Sponsors
Chocolate City’s Best Cocktail Competition 2018
Competition Date
September 24th, 2018
Location
Big Chief, 2002 Fenwick St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Chocolate City’s Best 2018 Winner
Denaya Jones, Washington, D.C
Before the competition date, a panel was put together to give an insight to being a person of color in the food and beverage industry. Within this panel was amazing insight on the struggles and ways to navigate through the food and beverage industry on a daily basis. Our Panelist were: Eric King, Earlecia Richelle, Andra Johnson, Jonathan Peterson and William Asiedu. A week later the 1st annual competition showcased nine bartenders of color and their talents.
These competitors created a cocktail that told their stories and/or influences as a person of color behind the bar. We had one people’s choice winner and one judges winner. Chris Martino won for our people’s choice. Denaya Jones took home the win for the judge’s choice.