If 3 is the perfect number, imagine what 3 times 3 can be. Let's just tell you that our Summer Drink&Eat Festival number 9 was a real BOMB!
The event was held on Monday, June 13 at the Palazzo del Ghiaccio in Milan, in conjunction with BarItalia Hub, an event sponsored by Bargiornale, and featured 12 venues from all over Italy. We had asked their representatives to bring us a taste of what their cocktail bar is like, how they work and what they know how to do. Lo and behold, they did much more than that.
They came to Milan FROM ALL OVER ITALY, driven by a passion to show what they can do, and they brought much more than what was asked of them: character, fun, passion and hospitality, the watchword of the day.
Their extraordinary communication skills amazed and especially challenged the judges and ensured that the spectators were always involved in the individual performances. That's right, because in between drinks there were those who were accompanied by the players, those who disguised the judges, those who spoke of their venue as a family tradition, those who imposed on us the rules of their lbar and thus their home, and those who set up the bar by faithfully reproducing it. But the common thread running through each performance was the enthusiasm lavished on everyone's part.
In short, the day was a real success because of the collective effort, so we feel like starting with thanks.
Thanks to Giangiacomo Secchi who masterfully conducted the day like the professional he is.
Thanks to the judges, who patiently and carefully evaluated each venue. Thanks then to Simone Pastu, Claudio Burdi, Allan Bay, Danilo Bellucci, and in particular to Dario Comini, who spoke out in his explanation of the use of syphons generally used in the cafeteria but which at his Nottingham Forest he exploits for reverse extraction, that is, the making of vermouth and drinks, and to Francesco Pirineo, impeccable speaker of the peculiarities of Tito's vodka for Compagnia dei Caraibi.
A heartfelt thanks then to all the sponsors: Compagnia dei Caraibi in primis that believed in this unique edition of the event, accompanying RG on the path of promotion and supporting its value. Thanks then to those who have been following us for many years, namely Ceado, Luigi Bormioli, Trabo with the brands Kisag, Arcos and iSi, and finally Ballarini professionale and Musetti.
Special thanks to Martina Lupi of Musetti who painted a picture with espresso coffee throughout the afternoon.
We then recall the special prizes and their winners.
First prize, i.e., a trip offered by Compagnia dei Caraibi to one of the production houses of a selected brand plus a one-liter iSi siphon, at My Lounge.
Special Musetti prize, or 3 canisters of selected coffee blend, at Grocery, Surfer's Den and Small Batch.
Ballarini-sponsored food pairing prize consisting of a recognition plaque and a set of professional pans, at To New York.
iSi innovation prize consisting of a siphon set complete with Rapid Infusion kit, at A'Barraca.
Finally, the RG award for originality (or as we say, fun), to Niji who took home a maxi parisienne in silver.
We then thank all the participants:American Bar Biffi from Cagliari, La Drogheria from Licata,Archivio Storico from Naples, Niji Caffè from Rome,A'Barraca from Bisceglie,Inside from Turin, My Lounge from Cesano Brianza, Surfer's Den from Milan, Small Batch from Abano Terme, To New York from Rovereto, Bootleg from Rome and Kiosko Stiss from Lake Viverone.
A final thank you to Drinkable, particularly in the figures of Alessandro and Francesco, as unparalleled professionals, but first and foremost sincere and patient friends.
RG loves you all and therefore looks forward to next year, when we will reach double digits.
