Check Out the Chicago Regional Winner in the Craft the Fun Cocktail Challenge

Chicago semi-finalist winner Makenzie Helem earns a spot in the Craft the Fun finals and is going to Austin, Texas!

“Craft the Fun really is the embodiment of fun and I think when you work hard, you want to play hard and not always have to worry about the technicalities and the stress of presenting and I think this competition does a great job of allowing you to have some fun, be creative and just have a good time overall and really remind you what the industry can be about,” says Makenzie.

“I’ve always tended to work in smaller more intimate bars and I think part of that is I do enjoy creating more intimate experiences by getting to know people. I think feeling like you’re at home and welcome in the space is always the most important thing: having that sense of hospitality and building relationships with new people is a great experience and I hope that when I’m working and people are at my bar, they leave thinking, ‘Oh, I can come back and I can have a good time and I have someone I can talk to that is kind of a friend.”

Congratulations, Makenzie!! Good luck in Austin!

Deep Eddy Vodka and Chilled Media wish to thank all the participating bartenders. Good luck to the finalists going to compete in Austin, Texas!

A total of five bartenders, one from each of the regional competitions, are chosen to compete as finalists in Austin, and receive $1,000 each as a prize. Regional runners-up will receive $500 and regional competitors who placed 3rd-6th will receive $100.

Additionally, the five regional winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Austin, TX September 15th-18th for a chance to become the 2024 Craft the Fun Cocktail Challenge Winner. The trip will include a unique Austin-experience, brand education, interaction with national judges, the final competition, and a celebratory dinner.

One Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 and the opportunity to be featured on the Deep Eddy Vodka website, social media, and an advertisement in Chilled Magazine announcing the winning 2024 Craft the Fun cocktail.

Good luck, bartenders!

The post Check Out the Chicago Regional Winner in the Craft the Fun Cocktail Challenge appeared first on Chilled Magazine.