BARTENDERS WAGE FIERCE COMPETITION FOR THE TITLE OF 'WORLD'S BEST BARTENDER'

Peter Marshall Emerges From Field of 7,500 Bartenders to Capture Victory at T.G. I. Friday's World Bartender Championships

Story Summary:

Peter Marshall, a 25 year-old bartender from the T.G.I. Friday's Bluewater/Kent restaurant in the United Kingdom, walked away with the title of "Best Bartender in the World" at Friday’s 2006 World Bartender Championship held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on March 5. Marshall won a cash prize, bragging rights and a propeller engraved with his name to take home and hang above his home Friday’s bar. The propeller is a traditional T.G.I. Friday’s icon.

More than 7,500 bartenders from around the world tested their knowledge and skills through months of competitions to reach the World Bartender Championship. Other grand finale contenders included (in alphabetical order): Reynaldo Almanza (Philippines), Scott Becker (Orlando, FL), Gary Hsu (Taiwan), Brian Kailer (Gurnee, IL), Tania Ortega Villalobos (Mexico), Gabi Sztancsik (Watchung, NJ) and Brian Zachau (Minneapolis, MN.)

The competition consisted of two segments – compulsory and freestyle. During the compulsory portion, the mixologists showed their mastery of bar mechanics, including technical knowledge, skill and accuracy. The freestyle portion of the competition showcases the master mixologists flair bartending skills -- tossing, balancing, mixing and flipping cocktails and bottles in the air. The bartenders were judged in several categories, including accuracy, organization, cleanliness, working flair, guest hospitality and professionalism.

The Bartender Championship event also included a comprehensive skill test. Each contestant must know more than 200 alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink recipes, perform pour tests, answer specific questions on food items, wine bottle opening, pouring techniques, mixes and garnishes.

B-Roll Includes

• footage of the competition
• the introduction of each bartender from Master of Ceremonies Michael Buffer
• highlights from the bartenders performances -- flipping and tossing cocktails and bottles

VIDEO PROVIDED BY: "T.G.I. Friday's"