2010 Draught Master Competition

Last year, we here at Metromix hosted an event to find the "Best Bartender in the Bay." After an online contest and a lengthy elimination process, the search was narrowed down to 5 competitors. They then went head-to-head poolside at the Hard Rock in front of 98Rock's Jesse Kage, a crowd of people, and the dreaded judges. One of those intimidating judges included yours truly. Of course, I loved tasting drink after drink and being wooed by the contenders, but I think it’s safe to say I never thought I’d be another party judge (outside of a self-created event) again.




A few weeks ago I was asked to be an undercover judge in a Red Bull competition involving three parties at various venues throughout the week. And, while I can’t decide if it’s a compliment or insult that I look like a party ‘expert’ (lets hope Lindsay Lohan didn’t also get this request), I had to jump at the opportunity. I know, I know--it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. My role included drinking, socializing, dancing, and then filling out a blurry evaluation after a long night of said partying. My criteria incorporated the crowd, music, promotion, and branding, along with a few other elements combined to pick an ultimate party winner. All in all, it was a lot of fun, albeit nursing my early morning hangovers throughout the work week. But, that’s a minor bump in the road.

Now, my journey has continued on to a beer event happening this week: the 2010 World Draught Master Competition. Stell Artois is on the search to find the best of the best in a 9-Step Pouring contest taking place all over the country, and, the obvious choice for a regional judge? Me! Yep, I may have crowned myself a connoisseur of beer in college, but now someone else has recognized my talent. At this point, I’m unsure of what a perfectly poured pint looks like or why it takes nine steps to get a beer in my system, but I’m looking forward to finding out and savoring the experience along the way.



In preparation for the big day, I received a press kit delivered to my desk today. Besides the bottles of beer (and jealous glances I got in a the office), the kit lists out the important steps that I’ll be judging on:

1. The Purification

2. The Sacrifice

3. The Liquid Alchemy

4. The Head

5. The Removal

6. The Beheading

7. The Judgment

8. The Cleansing

9. The Bestowal

It may sound more like a medieval sacrifice or religious service than my steps would (1. fill glass to top, 2. drink), but who am I to judge? (Oh, wait..)




Tomorrow I’m off to a private beer paring event and dinner session to train me for the big day. I’ll be blogging throughout and sharing photos of the competition, winners, and my overall experience, so be sure to check back. Hopefully, I can limit by beer quantities to do so!

New Years Eve at the Rawk

Wanting something a little different from the traditional dinner, dancing and champagne toast to the New Year (by "different" I really mean "cheaper."), I headed to a spot local to me, as someone who happens to live South of the Sunshine Skyway.

The Rawk Shop in Village of the Arts, Bradenton, sells vintage and retro clothing, music and other fun merchandise. A primary handout for the Bradentucky Bombers, it's also known for its 1st Friday music fests, where the patio doors are open for live bands, karaoke and local DJs.

New Year's Eve featured a special night with punk bands Lesson Learned and Spankin' Fresh. Visitors to the Rawk brought home made snacks to share, and it was BYOB. You could sit outside and listen to the band, or hang out in the shop with artists, musicians and other creative types who happened to hear about the party on MySpace or through word of mouth.

I don't know whether it was the blue moon, an overabundance of champagne and beer, or just par for the course among artistic types; but within two hours I got to witness a vintage fashion show by a Bomber showing off her knew cherry patterned dress and bathing suit, along with an Elvis impersonation from a fellow friends and Face Booker. I got a hug from a local intuitive body worker, who cracked my back in the spot that always get stuck (saving me an expensive trip to the chiro), and somehow ended up explaining to someone that a strong handshake resembles a high grip when shooting at the range. Odd, yes. But entertaining? No question.

Perhaps the nicest thing about the village people (yuck, yuck) is their inclusiveness. A "come as you are" kind of place, feel free to be you, and be welcomed for it.

Mattison's Riverside offers happy hour and live reggae (dancing optional)

Mattison's Riverside still has the one of the best Happy Hours in town, with daily (That includes the weekend, folks!) drink and appetizer specials from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. nightly.

Stopping in with a large group of friends for birthday festivities, and we were met with a $4 martini, mojito and specialty drink menu, and a $5 appetizer menu. Mattison's is also featuring a twin lobster tail dinner special for $29.

We settled on some sushi, the Dynamite with salmon, tuna and whitefish wrapped in nori and rice, a seafood artichoke dip with flat crisps, while friends tried the pesto pizzas and soft shell crab sushi...Each mini-dish was $5 a pop, and perfect for a light bite.

For drinks, mint, classic, watermelon and dragonberry mojitos were among the favorites, as well as "Boater Bob" rum cocktails, bud on tap, and house white and red, all between $2 and $4.

Then, as the sun was setting at the marina, Happy Hour ended just as the reggae dancing began, with local sensation Democracy taking the stage.

In other words, $9 gets you food, drink, live music, a water view, and dancing. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.

Palmetto Art Center Helps Fight Hunger

Leave it to Gretchen Leclezio to find a fun way to help out during some un-fun times.

Owner and director of the Palmetto Art Center (PAC), Leclezio is one of many Bradenton sponsors stepping up to support the nationwide Empty Bowls project, hosted by Meals on Wheels Plus in Bradenton.

"Local restaurants are donating soups to Empty Bowls. Participants buy a bowl they'd like to keep, and have it filled with the soup of their choice," Leclezio told me.

For a $20 donation, visitors can sit around and enjoy a meal and good conversation, all in support of helping fight hunger. The bowl serves as a reminder that everyone is entitled to a hot meal. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Manatee.


I, and a few friends, had the privilege of taking part in their unique Potter's Wheel Workshop. Many of us new to the craft, were coached through the bowl-making process by seasoned potters Slade Nash and Kathy Cornwell.

I tucked my elbows in and centered my slab of clay with the appropriate amount of pressure (or at least, I tried to), reducing the speed of the wheel, and adding water to avoid "drag".

Fortunately, Nash, Cornwell and Leclezio were there to guide us through the lumps, making it educational, as well.

From there, the newly crafted bowls will be left to dry before getting roasted in the kiln at 1,945 degrees. After this first firing (or, "bisque"), glaze is applied to the bowl before it is re-fired at slightly milder temperature - a mere 1,828 degrees.

Details of the Glazing Workshop will follow.

"Last year," Leclezio added. "They completely sold out of bowls".

Let's hope the same thing happens this year, as well.

The Palmetto Art Center is located at 907 5th St. W., Palmetto, FL. 34221. Those interested in the project should call Gretchen at 941-518-2109 or email gretchen@palmettoartcenter.com.

Joni Mitchell: Music Cinema at the Bishop Planetarium

"The reason I'm unruly, is because I never wanted to be a jukebox," Joni's voice reverberates from the dome-shaped screen at the Bishop Planetarium.

The Think + Drink Cinema at the South Florida Museum is three-quarters of its way through its American Music summer series, which featured Elvis, Les Paul, Pete Seeger, the Funk Brothers, Leonard Cohen, and tonight...Joni Mitchell.

Haunted by her music, ever since being introduced to songs like Come in From the Cold, the River, Amelia, and Both Sides Now, I - along with a group of gal pals - dropped in to experience Mindy Simmons live (who, unlike Joni, made it to A Woodstock, if not THE Woodstock).

A sold out show, more than half of the people who called to attend, had to be turned away.

The night continued with the showing of Joni Mitchell: Woman of Heart and Mind on the large screen at Bishop (Where they let you bring your wine with you...always a plus at any venue).

"Her life was so tragic," a friend proclaimed.

"No, it wasn't." I argued. "Everything about her life had been a success, with the exception of the way she chose to look at it. After all, of those three men who fell in love with her, not one of them left her. She chose to leave them. She was heartbroken by choice."

Or not...Perhaps the need to create outweighed the need for romantic love. But one thing is certain, her music moves many.

Just an FYI for those hoping to catch the Bob Dylan tribute next week, more than half of the tickets are already sold out, so you'll want to phone to reserve your space now vs. later. Contact: Jessica Schubick at 941-746-4131 x27.

Julie/Julia Project's Inspired Dishes at the Ritz Carlton

In anticipation of experiencing the latest cuisine being served by Chef Greg Howe and other french-educated chefs at the Ritz-Carlton (in honor of the late Julia Child), I had to make it a point of seeing the movie that inspired the 3-course menu being offered now, through September 7th at the Vernona.

Julie & Julia is a rich tale inspired by two true stories, one of teacher, TV host, author and le Cordon Bleu trained Chef Julia Child, and her unanticipated protege', Julie Powell, government employee vowing to blog about her experiences cooking all 536 recipes outlined in Child's book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, in 365 days.

Meryl Streep remains as one of my favorite actresses of all time, impressed by her uncanny ability to not just act, but become any role, and Amy Adams is being added to my list of "movies I would see, just cuz she's in it", along with my favorite "chic flick gals" that include Sandra Bullock, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, and Drew Barrymore.

My memories of Julia Child involved sitting in the "recreation room" (that's what my old-fashioned parents called it) of our Pennsylvania home as a kid, watching on TV, along with my admiring mother, the sometimes seemingly intoxicated Julia, as she accidentally dropped a bit of food on the kitchen counter, only to quickly dust it off and tell the audience that it was "alright for that to happen", and the guests "really didn't need to know".

For the entire month of August, the Vernona at the Ritz-Carlton is offering a 3-course French dinner that includes Truffle Quiche Lorraine, Baby Arugula and Frisee, Bavette Steak Frite, Shallot Bordelaise, and a selection of pot de crème, and after visiting the Vernona in the past, I can assure you that they're kitchen care is a bit more pristine than Julia's.

Phone (941) 309-2008 to make your reservations.

Oh, and for the curious? Julie Powell's blog is still "out there", and can be viewed online at: Julie/Julia Project.

"I Want More of THAT!" Strength Workshop at New View Counseling

"Call in well from work one day, and laugh when they believe you." Mary Chapin-Carpenter sings on her Time * Sex * Love album.

We're celebrated for working too hard, and only taking time off when sick (and sometimes, not even then). But what about taking a mental health day?

My latest exploration of things to do in Bradenton lead me to New View Counseling, where I was fortunate to participate in part 2 of an ongoing workshop series entitled, "I Want More of That!" Themes range from joy, to gratitude and peace, and - no - you don't have to be in therapy to participate, and no one will assume that you are if you do.

The night I attended, the group explored the subject of strength, what it means to have it, and ways to utilize it in personal and professional situations.

Not one who in any way feels as if I lack strength, I was still jonesing on the idea of having more of it. After all, would anyone ever ask for less power?

Interesting to those on us in attendance was how often we attributed our strengths to our talents, and what we accomplished vs. who we were, as individuals, leading us to explore strengths found in knowledge, courage, community consciousness, kindness and spirituality.

Insightful and interesting, visit www.newviewcounseling.com if your looking to try something unique and inspiring.