Apology Needed!

I need to offer up a HUGE apology to a prior blog entry I posted a week or so back. Regarding the judging and how disappointed I was in it. Let me say, and this is no excuse for what I wrote, I was a little peeved of some of the things I was over hearing from the judges when talking to some of competitors. This whole competition I wanted to have integrity and legitimacy and I felt at the time that had been breached and it rubbed me the wrong way. Also, let me say, I appreciate all the judges that participated in the Iron Bartender competition. So if any of the judges have read the prior post I hope you can accept my apology and continue to support our effort and community offering up your free time and time away from your families to engage with all of us...especially us bartenders!!!!

My second HUGE apology goes out to Wayno and all the Santorini supporters! Honestly without the Santorini crowd I don't know where this competition would've gone. You all really brought the energy and is exactly what I was hoping for every week we competed, so if I offended any of the Santorinian's I hope you can accept my apology. Wayno, you know I love you and respect what you do, I was really more worried about the integrity of the competition than any one particular feelings and didn't want to diminish your victory(s).

So there, I feel bad that I offended people with a past posting and I didn't mean it to be an attack on any one particular group. I'll take this as a lesson learned and will be careful what I write from now on. I have a lot to say and some of it is not thought out all the way through. I appreciate EVERYONE that has participated, rooted, witnessed, volunteered, and judged or had anything to do with this competition and hope you all continue to support us all! This competition is not about me...it's all about you, our industry and our community.....so CHEERS to all of you (This is me giving you a big group hug).

Peace and Cheers,
Jesse Held.