SANTA PAULA, CA – The results are in, and Patrick Reynolds, bartender at Wildcat Lounge and “Farm to Bar” columnist at the Santa Barbara Independent, has won Limoneira's best lemon cocktail award for his Manāw a trois creation. This event at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in November, which pitted Reynolds against some of the best bartenders around, officially kicked off a series of international mixology contests to be sponsored by Limoneira throughout 2015.
The Manāwa (lemon in Thai) uses lemons in three unique ways, thus inspiring the cocktail's name: Manāw a trois. The flavors borrow heavily from their Thai influences, filling the senses with spicy, aromatic and exotic tastes.
The judges for this contest included:
- Hadley Tomicki, Editor at Urban Daddy
- Lanee Lee, contributor to Voyage Vixens and FoodableTV
- Elana Lepkowski of Stir and Strain
- 12 Bottle Bar’s David Solmonson
- Beth Fisher of Busy Beth’s Blog
Other contest participants included:
- Vincent Anter of FIG Santa Monica
- Christopher Hewes of Argyle Hollywood
- Michael Nemcik of Red Clay
- Melodie Murphy of James Republic
- Nic Hirsch of Montage Laguna Beach
- Brian Leon of Nobu
- Ferrari Watts of Riviera 31
Non-contestant guests were able to watch the bartenders preform while enjoying refreshments, such as hors d’oeuvres and desserts prepared by Chef Marius Blin of Sofitel Los Angeles, Diabolo sparkling French soda, internationally-inspired wine blends from Four Brix Winery, handcrafted Italian liqueurs from Ventura Limoncello Company, and lemon-centric libations from Greenbar Craft Distillery. Samples of the competing cocktails were also avaliable for guests to enjoy.
Following this event, Limoneira will be holding additional contests in other major international cities, including Chicago, New York, Lima and Hong Kong. According to a press release, Reynolds will eventually have the opportunity to compete with the winners of these contests for a chance to win a grand prize.
Congratulations on the victory, Patrick!
