In ordinary circumstances it would be so un-PC to talk about boobs and bad-ass babes in the booze industry. However, when the subject in question is Speed Rack, it’s almost be rude not to. Not that a women-only speed bartending comp has to focus on the appendage of those taking part, but this one is different – it’s not only a celebration of female talent behind the bar but also raising awareness and valuable funds for breast cancer charities worldwide. To date Speed Rack has clocked up over $350,000 all in the name of boobs.
No doubt you’ll have heard of this bombastic contest before – acclaimed bartenders and industry ambassadors Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero’s Speed Rack has been going for four years. They brought the format over to the UK three years ago and it’s become a don’t miss event on the cool-comps calendar ever since.
Last year’s competitors
This year instead of running the event in June, they’ve cleverly hitched a ride on the London Cocktail Week bus. Come cheer on the lasses as they show off their skills against the clock. Don’t mistake that for them just having to make drinks in the fastest time possible, oh no, that would be too simple. Instead each one of the 50 cocktails they’re tasked with creating has to taste downright amazing while taking in the judges personal taste preferences. Just to add to the excitement…
Making cocktails against the clock
It’s always a good one and this year is no exception – hey, as well as great entertainment there’s going to be a pumping soundtrack from Shervene Shahbazkhani and Metinee Kongsrivilai aka The Unpronounceables. The event takes place on Sunday 11th October in the London Cocktail Week Cocktail Village in Old Spitalfields Market. Tickets cost £25 and gives you 10, yes 10 free cocktails plus complimentary tastings from spirit brands (and of course, all proceeds go to charity, so rest assured you’re doing some good at the same time). Get your tickets here
What’s in it for the competitors? Apart from the kudos and camaraderie you mean? Whoever is crowned Miss Speed UK will receive an all-inclusive trip for two to France courtesy of the fabulous folk at Cointreau. Let’s hear it for the 19 contestants please…
Chelsie Bailey – Redlight, Bristol
Hannah Bixo – Hawksmoor, London
India Blanch – QuiQuiRiQui, London
Sian Buchan – Bartender, Edinburgh
Lilla Debreceni – Adventure Bar Covent Garden, London
Caroline Hoskins – The Walrus Room, London
Claire Houghton – Gusto in Alderley Edge, Manchester
Maria Lopez-Tello – Grill on the Alley, Manchester
Sophie Mackay – Barrio Bars, London
Sarah Mitchell – Bartender, London
Rosie Paterson – The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Olesia Postnova – Opium, Haggerston
Kelsey Ramage – Bartender, London
Christina Schneider – Happiness Forgets, London
Jennifer Spencer – Hawksmoor Spitalfields, London
Lauren Taylor – Hawksmoor Spitalfields, London
Kaiko Tulloch – Lucky Liquor Co., Edinburgh
Elizabeth Ward – The Liars Club, Manchester
Lottee Weaver – Adventure Bar Covent Garden,
And let’s big-up the sponsors
Platinum
Auchentoshan
G’Vine
Gold
Bacardi
Chambord
Excellia Tequila
Four Roses Bourbon
St-Germain
Yaguara Cachaca
Silver
Luxardo
Cointreau
Del Maguey
Martini
Sauza Stoli
Local
Heering
Monin
All proceeds go to The Haven which provides, completely free of charge, a wide range of therapies which help people deal with the physical and emotional side effects of breast cancer.
For tickets, click here
