SHAKING DOWN THE COMPETITION AGAIN!
Flair Bartenders Shakedown 2008 Reviewed

By Rob Husted
Photos by Chris Miller & Rob Husted

The first ever Flair Bartending competition based entirely around working Flair the Flair Bartenders Shakedown returns for its second running which spanned over six months of qualifying shaking down the competition at Blue Martini in West Palm Beach, Florida all came to a close on Tuesday July 15th 2008 where the limits of Working Flair today where displayed.

The competitors specialty drink had to consist of at least two sponsors products and any other ingredients they wanted. This simple rule helped determine the difference between 1st and 2nd place. The Finest Call bottles where set at half full and any other bottles they needed for their specialty drink were allowed to be set at any level they desired. So not only did we see some remarkable Working Flair sequences but also got a taste of some exhibition Flair as well.

Now with the lights set, music cued and MC Ben Rose pumping up the boisterous crowd, it was time for the main event... The judges all looked on with excitement. Rob Husted, John Buckley, Aj Gruening, Justin Ripp, Jordan Mednick, Cheryl Rudewick, Brielle Robinson, Deshon Allen, Lori Cambeliio, Allisyn Ferrell, Jesse Austin and Chef Steve Sidnick had their hands full judging this innovative Flair bartending competition again.

After many fun filled hours of competition the final outcome was...

Representing Argentina and the returning champion of the Flair Bartenders Shakedown... Rodrigo Delpech took 1st Place and the most trophies home that night.

Rodrigo was the defending champion and defend his title he did barely... it was a close fierce battle between Rodrigo and Dario which in the end after much debate left Rodrigo finishing on top.

Rodrigo tried to use some innovative techniques combining Working Flair and Exhibition Flair during his routine that with some fine tuning could prove very useful in the future. Rodrigo is a true champion and even when he is off his game just a little he still finds ways to impress you. Well done my friend and congratulations again!

Click on Rodrigo's picture to the left to see a highlight of his winning round.

Representing Italy and taking home second place by less then a full point and demonstrating some insane Flair skills while showing true sportsmanship... Dario Doimo.

Dario at the time was the number 1 seeded Flair bartender on the FBA Pro Tour. He came to the event prepared and ready to win! If it wasn't for a huge 20 point penalty for a missing drink he would of. This was one of the best routines I've seen from Dario and something he should be proud of.

From the moment Dario took the stage he Flaired just about everything he touched... including the Finest Call Coco Real for the Finest Call Cocotini. He displayed some incredible Working Flair skills and his Exhibition Flair which included 1 bottle and tin, 3 bottles and 4 bottles was amazing!

Click on Dario's picture to the right to see a portion of his marvelous routine.

Representing Argentina, Mauro Garrido took third place honors and rounded out the top three.

Mauro who is a local favorite who has a knack of hyping up the crowd and leaving them begging for more. Fresh off his win from the Bartenders Bash Series Part 2 the month before, Mauro had the confidence of a Delpech as he hit the stage.

With a fast paced SKYY Vodka bottle and tin sequence which progressed into a SKYY Vodka bottle and 2 tin sequence Mauro had the crowd chanting his name... Mauro... Mauro... Mauro. Followed by a difficult 4 bottle sequence helped insure his standing in the final three. Congrats my friend!

Click on Mauro's picture to the left to see this local celebrity do his thing.

Representing the United States and coming in fifth place this time was...Chad Tocco.

Chad qualified the second month of qualifying way back in March 2008 and came back for the finals after months of good practice.

Starting off with a choreographed routine to a Bud Light commercial and into a X-Rated and tin sequence followed by some smooth SKYY Vodka bottle and tin to the winning Finest Call Stall sequence of the night which you can learn on our "Masterclass" page in this months issue of Flairbar.com! Well done brother and the hair gel looks great ;-)

Click on Chad's picture to the left to see a highlight from his routine.

Representing Puerto Rico and coming in seventh place and and also qualifying as a "Wild Card" was... Hector Acevedo.

Hector was full of energy as he hit the stage and started off his routine with 2 tins and an ice scoop Flair then balancing a Bud Light bottle on his flat speed bottle opener on his chin to a silky smooth SKYY Vodka bottle and tin sequence complete with little looks to the audience for approval.

Taking 2nd place for the "Best Finest Call Stall" of the night with a Finest Call Margarita Mix bottle he threw behind his back and kicked off his foot to a hand stall. Nice!

Click on Hector's picture to the left to see a highlight from this member of the Flip-n-Flow Flair Crew.

Representing the United States and coming in eighth place and no stranger to BarWars L.L.C. organized Flair bartending competitions... Joey Lenz.

Joey has his own style and is like a kid in a candy store on stage! He just genuinely has fun on stage and it shows throughout his routine. He started off opening a Bud Light bottle with his eye and then went into a 2 tin and Midori creative pour using the bosom of a lovely assistant. The had the crowd in amazement with the Flairco Floating Tin... All about Fun my friend!

A couple of unsanitary procedures cost him some major points... maybe next time he wont scoop ice with his glassware?

Click on Joey's picture to the right to see a highlight from his round.

Representing Nicaragua Sergio Roman comes in ninth place for the finals of the Flair Bartenders Shakedown 2008.

Sergio who I met at the movie theater a couple of months back, expressed his passion for learning Flair and after a couple of tries qualified to come back for the finals winning the last month of qualifying and giving him a chance to advance.

Sergio has some quick and clean "Old School" moves that he uses to rock the stage with. We even saw the Tony Cogburn "Anti-Gravity" pour with a X-Rated bottle!

Click on Sergio's picture to the left to see "Old School" making a comeback.

Representing the United States and coming in tenth place this year at and also qualifying as a "Wild Card"... Chris Ramler.

Chris comes to us from Cafe Med in Miami and is relatively new to the Flair scene. After beating all of the other competitors during the "SKYY Vodka Spill-Stop" Pour Off and winning the "Most Accurate Bartender" award, he showed he deserved to be on stage during the finals.

Chris came out sporting a custom X-Rated Tshirt and started off with a safe X-Rated and tin sequence after his accurate 2oz pour with a SKYY Vodka bottle. For just starting out and taking a trophy away from some of these seasoned professionals... is a great start to your Flair career. Well Done!

Click on Chris's picture to the right to see how he makes a X-Rated and Sprite at his bar.

Representing the United States, Drew Bryant comes in eleventh place by less then a full point from tenth place this time for the finals.

Drew who just recently won "Best Rookie" in the Bartenders Bash Series Part 2, came to flex his Working Flair muscles during the Flair bartenders Shakedown 2008.

He started off with a good Midori and tin Working Flair sequence where he moved on to 2 bottles followed by a smooth 2 tin and bottle sequence. Then he also busted out the Flairco Floating Tin and wrapped it up with a modest 3 bottle sequence.

Click on Drew's picture to the left to see him representing Pangea Nightclub well.

Representing the United States and coming in twelfth this year at and qualifying as another "Wild Card"... Dave Deese.

Dave comes to us from Dr Feelgoods in West Palm Beach, Florida. He started his round off with good energy and freshly dyed red hair while his proud Mom watched from the crowd cheering him on the whole time. He looked a little nervous on stage... perhaps it was the lack of training due to the fact he seemed lost when making the Finest Call Cocotini and repetivness of his 1 bottle and tin routines.

With more variety and training, Dave could be better prepared and place higher in future competitions.

Click on Dave's picture to the right to see some 2 bottle Exhibition Flair while making his specialty drink.

Representing Cuba, Ramiel Perez came in thirteenth place this time for the finals.

Ramiel returning again from last years finals walked on to the stage sharply dressed and ready for action. He started out smooth showing poise and control with confidence... then after the Sour Apple bottle slipped out of his hands and into the waiting barback Josh's hands on stage, Raimel seemed to be rattled after that and had some simple fumbles and drops along with pouring his Sour Apple martini on his forehead that eventually landed in his eyes. It was hard keeping his points after 2 missing drinks.

Overall it was a great improvement from last year and this dedicated individual shows promise for the future.

Click on Ramiel's picture to the left to see this sharp dressed man in action.