by Kate Durgin
This October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Speed Rack launched a 10-city tour to find the fastest female bartender in America, while raising funds for breast cancer charities. The tour kicked off in Boston on October 10, 2011 at Villa Victoria Venter of the Arts. Founded by LUPEC New York’s Ivy Mix and Lynette Marrero the National Competition “Speed Rack” featured top female bartenders form Boston in a head to head challenge based on time and accuracy.
Our beloveded bartenders Kelly Unda (Harvest, and Forum) faced Sabrina Kershaw (The Citizen, Noir) in the final round with Kershaw taking the win! However, this did not happen without a battle from our Boston Competitors…
Joy Richard, The Citizen
Nicole Lebedevitch, Eastern Standard
Trina Sturm, Trina’s Starlight lounge
Bryn Tattan, Drink
Naomi Levy, Eastern Standard
California Gold, Drink
Jenn Lampman, Tremont 647
Janelle Poirier, Alibi Bar, and the Lounge Liberty Hotel
Joy Flanagan, Armsby Abbey
Candace Smith, Grill 23
Anakarina Gende, Green Street
Josey Packard, Drink
Lindsey Smith Mistral and Gypsy Bar
Kevyn Ashton, Russell House Tavern
Stephanie Clarkson
Elizabeth Powell, Descent
Speed Rack travels to cocktail focused cities with strong LUPEC Chapters including Portland (Oct 23, 2011), Los Angeles (Nov 13, 2011), and Washington DC (Dec 4, 2011). In 2012 Speed Rack will travel to San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, and Chicago, all with the goal of raising $75,000 before the ultimate Miss Speed Rack is crowned in May 2012 at the national finals in NYC.
Special thanks for small bites from The Citizen, The Franklin Cafe, The Franklin Southie, Toro, 
Coppa, Meyers + Chang and Trina’s Starlite Lounge. As well as Judges, Misty Kalkofen, mixologist-extraordinaire from Drink and president of the Boston chapter of LUPEC, Jackson Cannon of Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar, Liza Weisstuch a spirits and cocktail journalist and Christopher Myers, co-owner of Radius, Via Matta and Myers+Chang. Emcee Chris Patino was a riot, as always, and the “Rack Boys” – well, we couldn’t have done it with out you!
Good luck Sabrina! Boston will be cheering for you in May!!!
Additional information can be found on the Speed Rack website http://www.speed-rack.com, on Facebook http://www.facebook/speedrackinfo and on twitter @speed-rack. To compete please contact ivy@speed-rack.com or lynnette@speed-rack.com. Tickets for upcoming editions can be purchased at http://www.speedrack.eventbrite.com.
*Participating Sponsors for 2011 events:
Absolut
Barritt’s Ginger Beer
Becherovka
Beefeater Gin
Benedictine
Brugal
Chambord
Cocktail Kingdom
Cointreau
Famous Grouse
Fever-Tree Tonic
Harpoon Beer (Boston only)
Herradura
Jameson
Kahlua
Korbel
Perfect Purée
Pernod
Pierre Ferrand (Boston and Portland)
Plymouth Gin
Rhum Clement
Rhum JM
St. Germain
Woodford Reserve
fancybrandy
Hanky Panky
joseypackard
Pink Lady
Pinky Gonzales
Hoskins
thepinkgin
Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails - Boston 