Bartenders vie to raise the cocktail bar at PCT benefit
Raise a glass to Pittsburgh’s cocktail renaissance, vote for your favorite bartender and sample food and drinks at Cultured Cocktails.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will host the fundraiser from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Benedum Center, Downtown.
Local bartenders will compete to serve the best cocktails, which will be paired with small bites from local restaurants. Mixologist Christopher Cardone, who was named bartender of the year by the United States Bartenders’ Guild in 2017, will judge the cocktail competition and entertain guests with his flair bartending moves by juggling bottles and shakers.
Jacob Korb, the Trust’s manager of donor relations, said the organization was looking for “something new and exciting, and cocktails seemed to fit that bill.” Although there are lots of wine festivals and beer events here, he felt the local scene was lacking a chance to show off the “amazing bartenders we have here in Pittsburgh.”
Mr. Korb worked with Greta Harper, head bartender at Pirata, Downtown, to design the event. Participating bartenders will include Maggie Mesky of the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, Spencer Warren of The Warren, Eric Moorer of Or, the Whale, Jen Malandra of Bakersfield, and Alec El of Yuzu Kitchen. Small bites will come from Yuzu Kitchen, Il Pizzaiolo, Pirata, The Warren, Roost, Bakersfield, Eddie Merlot’s, The Commoner, Or, the Whale, Maggie’s Farm Rum, Above & Beyond Catering, Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille, Talia, Braddock’s Pittsburgh Brasserie, BRGR, Scratch Kitchen, Monterey Bay, Mallorca, Sienna on the Square and Tequila Cowboy. Each restaurant will choose a theme show, such as “Cinderella,” “Rent” or “Hamilton,” to inspire its culinary offerings.
“We have a great participants list from not only Downtown but all over the city, as well,” Mr. Korb said.
VIPs can arrive early, at 7 p.m., for extras, including a vermouth
and sherry cocktail bar and desserts from A519 Chocolate, Capital Grille, Bethel Bakery, Pittsburgh Sweet Treats, Prohibition Pastries, Butterwood Bake Consortium and Sinful Sweets. Mr. Korb said it was Ms. Harper’s suggestion to feature sherry and vermouth for the VIP bar because those drinks are experiencing a resurgence in London, Singapore, New York City and major cultural centers worldwide.
The Trust hopes to fill the Benedum Center with at least 700 guests for the event, which promises a $500 cash prize for the grand champion bartender as judged by Mr. Cardone. Attendees also will get to vote for their favorite bartenders, and the winner of the People’s Choice voting will get a crystal bucket. Attendees will be able to track the voting on screens throughout the event to see how their favorites are faring.
In addition to the food and drink offerings, the Benedum Center will be filled with entertainment, including jugglers, hula hoopers, games, activities and a drag queen photo booth with costumes.
“We want people to feel like they’re having a cultural event, too,” Mr. Korb said.
Tickets are $45 for general admission and $95 for VIPs. For tickets or information: trustarts.org/culturedcocktails.