the basics

  • First, second and third place winners will have their Original Drink Recipes published nationally in Cheers Magazine.
  • First Place/“Grand Prize” Winner – $1,000 cash; Second Place – $500 cash; Third Place – $250 cash.
  • All finalists in the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition will be automatically enrolled in BarSmarts Advanced. The enrollment includes the BarSmarts innovative on-line education and examination program, as well as an invitation to the 2012 BarSmarts Live program (dates and location TBA). This award is courtesy of Pernod Ricard and B.A.R. (beveragealcoholresource).

rules & regulations

  1. Must be at least 21-years-of-age with valid Liquor Card.
    (If you are from out-of-state, or from a state without requirements
    for a liquor card, a MO licensed bartender will be assigned to you
    for the batching portion of the competition)
  2. Must be currently employed at a bar or restaurant
  3. If selected for the finals, must be present on August 21st to compete.
  4. Original drink recipe must include measurements of ingredients, glassware, garnish, and name.
  5. No blended or frozen drinks will be accepted.
  6. Entries must be submitted by July 29th. Finalists will be notified by phone or e-mail by August 5, 2011.

The Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition prides itself on promoting the creative freedom of bartenders and the wide and varied use of spirits from all over the world. We encourage you to learn about all spirits the world has to offer, by researching them, tasting them, and mixing them into cocktails. However, we really love our friends and sponsors that make this event possible, and strongly encourage you to consider using their fine products. The following brands are sponsors of the GKCBC, and might be the only brand available within their respective categories:

Hendrick’s Gin, The Balvenie Single Malt Scotch, Stoli Vodka, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch, Milagro Tequila, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, William Grant’s Scotch Whisky, Bennett Family Wines, Bols, Reyka Vodka, Lillet, Licor 43, Galliano, Hudson Rye and Bourbon Whiskies.

So, for example, if you’re using Gin in your cocktail, Hendrick’s should be your choice in your submitted cocktail. If you’re using Spiced Rum in your cocktail, Sailor Jerry should be your choice, and so on. This does not limit your options when it comes to spirits categories that are not officially sponsored by a specific brand. So if you want to use Pisco, use whichever Pisco you would like, or if you want to use Mezcal, then the world (or Oaxaca) is your oyster. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the requests set forth, and appreciate your feedback as we look to grow the competition.

the legal stuff (and details)

Official Rules

Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition (the “Promotion”)

No Purchase Necessary. Must be 21 years of age or older to enter. Internet connection required.

ENTRY: Promotion begins at approximately 12:00AM Central Standard Time (CST) on 6/27/2011 and ends at 11:59PM EST on 7/29/2011 (the “Promotion Period”) To enter, visit www.gkcbc.com, complete the online entry form in its entirety, and submit. No purchase necessary but an internet connection is required to enter. The use of automated entry devices of any kind is prohibited. Competitors are limited to one (1) entry during the Promotion Period. No group submissions or collaborations are permitted. In the event of a dispute as to the identity or eligibility of an Entrant, the submission will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Promotion who will be determined as the natural person twenty-one (21) years of age or older who is assigned to the e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization. Neither Sponsor nor any of its affiliates are liable for any disputes between collaborators related to a submission.  Sponsor is not responsible for entries that are not received due to technical or transmission difficulties. All entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.

ELIGIBILITY: Promotion open only to legal US residents excluding residents of Alaska, Hawaii, California and Tennessee who are 21 years of age or older at time of entry.  Employees of retail and wholesale alcoholic beverage licensees are eligible to enter provided such employee does not hold a state or federal alcoholic beverage license.

DESCRIPTION OF COMPETITION: Round 1. Entrants will create and submit a new cocktail recipe. Recipes are to include precise amounts of ingredients, garnishes, ideal glassware, and preparation instructions. Round 1 Judging. On or around July 30, 2011, all eligible entries will be judged according to the following criteria: Originality/Creativity: 0-10 points; Balance of flavors and taste: 0-15 points. In the event of a tie, tied entries will be re-judged based on the creativity and originality of the cocktail: 0-20 points. The twelve (12) entries receiving the highest scores at the conclusion of judging (“Semi-Finalists”) will advance to Round 2 of the Promotion. Semi-Finalists will be notified via phone, email, US Mail, or some other form of home delivery within five (5) days judging. Rules for Batching: Entrants chosen to compete in the final round at the Uptown Theater on August, 21, 2011 will also be required to make a large batch of their cocktail for a minimum of 100 people. All supplies, ingredients, and equipment needed to make and serve the batch will provided by the sponsor, with the exception of anything in the recipe that is of a “homemade” nature. Anything homemade will need to be provided by the finalist. In addition, the batch must be ready to serve to guests of the event at 6pm on August 21, 2011, and the finalist must be present to aid in the service of his or her cocktail to the audience members. Entrants are encouraged to bring their own bar kit, while standard supplies such as shakers, strainers, and muddlers will be provided. The Final Competition. The final competition will be held on August 21st at 7pm at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Mo.  All expenses incurred to attend and participate in the Round 2 competition including, but not limited to, all transportation, food, and hotel accommodations, are not included and are the sole responsibility of the Semi-Finalist. During the Competition, which will be a 10-15 minute timed event, Finalists will (i) re-create their cocktail before a panel of judges, (ii) prepare a separate spirit based cocktail before a panel of judges making use of one of the 26 Classic Cocktails on the website and (iii) answer questions on ingredients being used, cocktails in general, methods of alcohol distillation, and the history of classic cocktails while demonstrating all–around professionalism and bartender skills (“Knowledge and Skills”). Finals Judging. Finalists will be judged according to the following criteria: (1) Creation of cocktail: (i) Visual appeal: (0-5 points), (ii) Balance of flavors and taste: (0-10 points), (iii) Creativity/Originality: (0-10 points), and (iv) Inventive use of ingredients: (0-10 points); (2) Creation of the spirit based classic cocktail: (i) Visual appeal of the spirit based cocktail (0-5 points), (ii) Balance of flavors and taste: (0-10 points), (iii) knowledge and accuracy of classic recipes: (0-10 points) (3) Knowledge and Skills: (i) Abilities under pressure (0-10 points), (ii) Knowledge of spirits categories (0-10 points), and (iii) Knowledge of cocktails, their principles and their history. (0-10 points). In the event of a tie, tied entries will be re-judged based on the creativity and originality of the cocktail: 0-20 points.

PRIZES: There will be one (1) First Prize package (the “First Prize”) awarded to the First Prize Winner consisting of a $1000 cash prize, trophy, and more. There will be one (1) Second Prize consisting of $500 cash awarded to the Second Prize Winner. There will be one (1) Third Prize consisting of $250 cash awarded to the Third Prize Winner. All finalists in the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition will be automatically enrolled in BarSmarts Advanced. The enrollment includes the BarSmarts innovative on-line education and examination program, as well as an invitation to the 2012 BarSmarts Live program (dates and location TBA). This award is courtesy of Pernod Ricard and B.A.R. (beveragealcoholresource).

PRIZE CONDITIONS: Alcohol is not awarded as a specific component of any Prize. If any Winner (i) fails to complete and return any requested documents by the date specified by Sponsor, (ii) is found to be ineligible, (iii) fails to comply with the Official Rules, or (iv), with respect to the First Prize, cannot use the First Prize before the date specified, the Prize will be forfeited. All federal, state and other taxes are the responsibility of the Winners. Sponsor will report the value of Prizes awarded as required by law. Acceptance of a Prize constitutes permission (where permitted) for Sponsor to use Winner’s name, photograph, and address (city and state) on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without notice or further compensation. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and waive any right to claim ambiguity in regard to the mechanics of the Promotion or the interpretation of these Official Rules. Entrants also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor, their affiliates and respective directors, officers, employees and agents, from and against any claims, damages or liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind, resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any Prize awarded in this Promotion, participation in this Promotion, or from breaching any agreement contained herein. Sponsor is not responsible for cancellations, delays and/or postponements. Sponsor makes no warranty with respect to any component of any Prize.  By submitting a cocktail  recipe in this Promotion, Entrant irrevocably grants and conveys to Sponsor and its affiliates, legal representatives, assigns, agents and licensees, full ownership rights to the recipe which includes the right to use, reproduce, edit, copy, transmit, publish, translate, broadcast, display, publicly exhibit and otherwise reuse without limitation, the cocktail recipe, in any and all media (now known or later developed) including, but not limited to, promotional advertising, including the internet., as well as to use Entrant’s name, likeness, photograph (collectively, “Likeness”), and/or statements regarding his/her participating in the Promotion (with or without using the Entrant’s name) in any and all media without limitation as to time or territory, and without additional compensation to, or approval from, the Entrant or any other party. Entrant waives intellectual property rights, privacy/publicity rights or other legal or moral rights that might preclude the Sponsor’s use of the recipe, and agrees not to sue or assert any claim against the Sponsor for the use of the cocktail recipe submitted, or for use of Entrant’s likeness or statements. By submitting a recipe, Entrant warrants and represents that the recipe is original and his/her own work and does not infringe upon any third party’s copyright or any other rights. By submitting a cocktail recipe, Entrant warrants and represents that he/she is the creator of the submitted recipe. Entrant agrees to indemnify and hold Sponsor harmless for any claims made to Sponsor as a result of Entrant breaching any representation, covenant, or warranty made to Sponsor as set forth herein.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.  Any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with the mechanics or logistics of the Promotion will be declared ineligible and may be prosecuted. In no event shall Sponsor be liable for: (a) telephone, electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet or computer malfunction, technical errors or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the Promotion, or the incorrect or inaccurate capture of Promotion entries or other information, or the failure to capture any such information; (b) failed, incomplete, garbled, corrupted or delayed computer transmissions; (c) lost, late, misdirected, incomplete or illegible submissions; or (d) any condition caused by events that may cause the Promotion to be disrupted. If the Promotion is not capable of being conducted as planned for any reason including, without limitation, tampering, intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other reason which corrupts, affects, or compromises the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Promotion, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate the applicable Round at such time, and select Semi-Finalists or Finalists, as the case may be, from among all eligible entries received up to the time of termination. Any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Promotion, or any Prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. Claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of- pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Promotion, but in no event attorney’s fees. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

WINNER CONFIRMATION: For the name/city/state of the Winners, go to www.gkcbc.com between 09/15/11 and 12/15/11.

SPONSOR: RoundTable Marketing and Consulting, LLC, Kansas City, MO