Iron Bartender Results

First let's recognize the competitors and what bar/restaurant they are representing out there....they're the real peeps making this a success!  Also, if you're looking for a place to go out and have a dinner or a cocktail, look up one of these talented bartenders and belly up to their bar and have a bite and a drink.

*This was the first half of the first round bracket results*

Jourdan Gomez and Birk Gruden represents Bradstreet Crafthouse (located in Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis).  They took on David Kelley (a.k.a. DK) from Ike's (located on 7th st. in Minneapolis).  With the secret ingredient being Papaya, Bradstreet came out the victors in  this duel with a score of 94 - 88.  Bradstreet scored 24/30 in the presentation, 44/60 for taste, and 26/30 for originality.  Ike's scored a 24/30 as well for presentation, 42/60 for taste, and 22/30 for originality.

Tim Schaff and Chad Landry from Fogo de Choa (located on the corner of Hennepin and 7th St. in Minneapolis) took on Tom Deprekel and Tim Elliot from Al Vento (located on 34th St. in South Minneapolis).  Secret ingredient was Papaya, Fogo de Choa squeaked out the victory with a 78 - 76 score.  Fogo de Choa scored 24/30 for presentation, 31/60 for taste, and 23/30 for originality.  Al Vento scored 26/30 for presentation, 27/60 for taste, and 24/30 for originality.

Erik Grivalsky from La Belle Vie (located on Groveland Ave. in Minneapolis) was matched up against Chris Raph and Josh Moore from The Shout House (located in Block E, Minneapolis).  With the secret ingredient being Ginger, Erik from La Belle Vie scored the victory with a 105 - 88.  Erik scored the highest score from week 1 with the 105 points!  Erik's scores were 29/30 for presentation, 46/60 for taste, and a perfect score of 30/30 for originality!  Chris and Josh's scored were 24/30 for presentation, 37/60 for taste, and 27/30 for originality.

Judd Sampson and Jessica Besel (pronounced Basil -- as I was told) represented Bootleggers (located on 3rd St. and 1st Ave., in Minneapolis) were up against Jeff Rodgers from Bar 508 (located on 5th St. and 1st. Ave., in Minneapolis).  As Ginger as the secret ingredient, Jeff from Bar 508 came out on top in this match with a 67 - 58 victory.  Jeff's scores broke down like this 26/30 for presentation, 22/60 for taste, and 19/30 for originality.  Judd and Jessica's scores were 24/30 for presentation, 18/60 for taste, and 27/30 for originality.

Tim Eagle and Andrew Vobroucek from Kozy's (located on 70th St. in the Galleria in Edina) went up against Nick Koserich from Town Talk Diner (located on 27th and Lake Street in Uptown).  With Guava as the secret ingredient in this matchup, the much hyped duo from Town Talk Diner prevailed with a sound drubbing of Kozy's 102 - 51.  Nick's scored broke down like this, 30/30 for presentation, 42/60 for taste, and 30/30 for originality.  Tim and Andrew's scores were 11/30 for presentation, 27/60 for taste, and 13/30 for originality.  Town Talk Diner also won the mustache award....don't know if that's one I would want to win.

Ben Hansen from O'Donovan's Irish Pub (located on the corner of 7th St. and 1st Ave., in Minneapolis) were up against Lare Campbell from Roat Osha (located 26th and Hennepin in Uptown/Minneapolis).  WIth Guava as their secret ingredient, Ben from O'Donovan's scored the upset thus far in the tournament with a 76 - 72 victory.  Who says the Irish can't make a cocktail?  Ben's scores broke down this way; 20/30 for presentation, 36/60 for taste, and 20/30 for originality.  Lare's scores were 22/30 for presentation, 28/60 for taste, and 22/30 for originality.

Jake Shulte from Seven Sushi (located on the corner of 7th and Hennepin, in Minneapolis) took on Quinn McNamara from The Local Irish Pub (located on 9th St. and Nicollet Mall, in Minneapolis).  I guess in this bout sushi reigns supreme over cornbeef!  With Cinnamon as the secret ingredient Jake's pulled out the victory 95 - 75.  Jake's scores broke out this way; 28/30 for presentation, 41/60 for taste, and 25/30 for originality.  Quinn's scores were 18/30 for presentation, 36/60 for taste, and 22/30 for originality.

After the first week of competition had concluded, Bradstreet, Fogo de Choa, La Belle Vie, Bar 508, Town Talk Diner, O'Donovan's and Seven Sushi each moved one step closer to being the first Iron Bartender of Minneapolis and winning the grand prize....a V.I.P trip for two to Las Vegas!

The second week of competition added more faces representing more restaurants from around the Twin Cities!

* second half of the first round*

James Kuettner from Musashi (located on 5th St. and Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis) took on Jason Massey from Massey's Catering.  With the secret ingredient being Cantaloupe James, from Musashi, won a close battle with a 94 - 79 victory.  James' score broke down like this, 25/30 for presentation, 40/60 for taste, and 29/30 for originality.  Massey's score broke down 23/30 for presentation, 31/60 for taste, and 25/30 for originality.

John Dyste and the beautiful Emma Held representing Redstone American Grill (located on Eden Road in Eden Prairie) battled their Eden Prairie foe Wayno from Santorini's (located on Technology Drive in Eden Prairie).  This battle involved Cantaloupe as well and both did not disappoint.  In the end however, Wayno from Santorini's prevailed with a 111 - 97 victory.  Wayno's score broke out like this, 30/30 for presentation, 52/60 taste, 29/30 for originality.  John and Emma's scores were 27/30 for presentation, 45/60 for taste, and 25/30 for originality.

Blake Ogram from Crave (located on 70th St. in the Galleria in Edina) took on Chad Larson and Lucas Murphy from Drink (located on 5th St. N and 1st. Ave. in Minneapolis).  With Lemongrass as the secret ingredient Chad and Lucas from Drink pulled out the victory with a 96 - 88 advantage.  Chad and Lucas' scores were 24/30 for presentation, 50/60 for taste, 22/30 for originality.  Blake's scores were 24/30 for presentation, 41/60 for taste, and 23/30 for originality.

Chris Greenfield from Hell's Kitchen (located in the Metro Building on 9th St. and Marquette Ave.) took on  Richie from Eli's (located between 12th and 13th St. on Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis).  This showdown featured Lemongrass and was a battle to the end.  In the end however Richie from Eli's prevail in a closely contested match winning by a perfect score of 120 - 110.  Richie's scores were 30, 60, 30 in each category and Chris' scores were nearly matched coming up 10 points short in the taste category scoring 50/60!

Scott Butters from Independent (located in Calhoun Square on Lake St. and Hennepin in Uptown) took on Adam from Town Talk Diner.  With the secret ingredient as Kiwi, Scott from Independent beat Town Talk Diner's team #2 110 - 80.  Scott's scores were 29/30 for presentation, 53/60 for taste, and 28/30 for originality.  Adam's scores were 22/30 for presentation, 38/60 for taste, and 20/30 for originality.

Paul Ballestros representing Bella (located in Clubwest Parkway in Blaine) battled Dan Nelson from Maverick's Wood Grill (located on West River Road in Champlin).  With Blood Orange as the secret ingredient, the battle of the northern suburban bars was decided by a convincing 102 - 61 victory by Dan from Maverick's Wood Grill.  Dan's scores were 27/30 for presentation, 49/60 for taste, and 26/30 for originality.  Paul's scores were 19/30 for presentation, 27/60 for taste,  and 15/30 for originality.

Moving on to the next round and one step closer to becoming Minneapolis' first Iron Bartender were Musashi, Santorini, Drink, Eli's, Independent, Maverick's Wood Grill!  Having to fill out the remainder of the winners bracket of the Sweet Sixteen we took the highest losing score from week 1 (David Kelley, Ike's), and the 2 highest losing scores from week 2 (Chris Greenfield, Hell's Kitchen) and (John Dyste and Emma Held, Redstone American Grill) and moved them through to the second round!

So the Sweet Sixteen is set:

Eli's vs. Ike's

Seven Sushi vs. Drink

Independent vs. Fogo de Choa

Hell's Kitchen vs. O'Donovan's Irish Pub

508 Bar vs. Santorini

Musashi vs. Town Talk Diner

Maverick's vs. Bradstreet Crafthouse

La Belle Vie vs. Redstone American Grill