CHEF BRAD KILGORE OF VERGE AT THE CONCOURS CLUB NAMED THE WINNER OF NATIONAL FISH COMPETITION IN ASPEN DURING THE CLASSIC
Chefs, Sommeliers and Barkeeps Celebrated at Hotel Jerome with a Big Weekend for Sustainable Seafood and Responsible Aquaculture while Promoting Better, Safer Food Systems
On the afternoon of September 11th during the Food + Wine Classic in Aspen, three chefs traveled to the iconic Hotel Jerome from across the U.S. to compete in the ultimate culinary competition spotlighting sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture. The flagship event of the weekend called Fish House Live featured three chefs competing for the crown with three dishes that were served to the invite-only crowd and six notable judges who voted for their favorite chef, including TV personality Andrew Zimmern, Celebrity Chef Shota Nakajima, Spanish Trade Commissioner Bruno Fernandez, Dalwhinnie Farm’s CEO Brandon Barksdale, Hotel Jerome’s General Manager Patrick Davila and Master Sommelier Jonathan Pullis of 7809 Aspen. Host and Founder Brady Lowe held a live-streaming panel discussion on the challenges of making seafood sustainable in between chef presentations for the judges. Hundreds of thousands watched online as they crowned Chef Brad Kilgore of Verge at Concours Club the National Champion. The winner walked away with a trip to Ribera del Duero and Rueda, Spain’s two most prestigious red and white wine regions. To view a photo gallery of winning moments and delicious food and drink, click here.
Chefs included Gianna Giannina Barrantes of 1 Hotel South Beach (MIA) and Yia Vang of Union Hmong Kitchen (MSP) and Brad Kilgore of Verge (MIA). The chefs prepared show-stopping dishes highlighting Kvaroy Arctic Salmon from Norway and Striped Bass from Pacifico Aquaculture in Baja Mexico but it was Chef Brad’s plates that won the event. His winning three courses were Striped Bass Ceviche made with Tiger’s Milk Marshmallow, Turmeric Sourdough, Citrus Flora and Lemongrass Sprouts, a dish of Kelp Cured Salmon Noodles with Toasted Garlic Dashi, Vetrano Olive and Wakame and to close, Cobia Au Poivre with Brown Butter Porcini Bisque, Truffle Pearls, Hijiki and Onion Glass.
Additionally, Fish House Live hosted winners of two statewide beverage competitions, Florida & Texas, who presented to the panel of judges and guests that included other notable food celebrities. Erin Ashford of Olamaie (Austin) took top honors amongst eight barkeeps in three cities (Houston, Austin, Dallas) tasked to resurrect a modern day version of Fish House Punch made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon (a punch first made popular in colonial America hundreds of years ago). Erin’s Salt Water Society Punch featured Buffalo Trace, Batavia Arrack, Fredericksburg Peach Sweet Tea, Demerara Sugar, Fresh Ginger Juice, Salted Lime Juice, Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters, Brut Rosé served over ice (recipe here).
Sommelier Nick Rancone of Revival (Minneapolis), took top honors at Fish House Miami Edition against two notable sommeliers. The six wines were all selected from Spain’s most distinguished wine regions Ribera del Duero and Rueda for white and red wine. The winning wines included 2018 Martinsancho Verdejo, 2018 Nisia 'Las Suertes' Old Vines Verdejo, 2018 Belondrade y Lurton Verdejo, 2018 Bodegas Emilio Moro Tempranillo, 2018 Dominio del Aguila Picaro del Aguila Viñas Viejas, Rosado and 2018 Pepe Yllera Caserio de Duenas. These wines accompanied the six dishes presented by the chefs to the judges.
The mission of Fish House Live is to support responsibly farmed and sustainable fisheries while inspiring discussion and consumption. The original Fish House was established in 1732 and today still remains America’s first fishing cooperative as part of the 13 colonies. The event pays homage to the old world when life was simple, the food and our waters were cleaner. Visit the website to learn more www.fishouse.live or follow @FishHouse_Live on Instagram for the most up-to-date information. Additionally readers can enter to win "The Ultimate Spanish Winery Tour” by clicking here.
About Fish House In 1730, the Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania launched as the first angling cooperative and remains the oldest continuously operating social club in the English-speaking world, known to many as Fish House. Honorary members included no less than George Washington, who was said to be a frequent visitor and lover of the Fish House Punch. The first mention of Fish House Punch was in the notebook of William Black, the secretary of an embassy of Virginia Commissioners who visited Philadelphia in 1744. In 1747, members decided to build a clubhouse, dubbed The Castle, at the foot of the Schuylkill River falls near Fairmount, now part of Philadelphia. Fish House Live was created by Brady Lowe, Founder of Taste Network and Cochon555 during the pandemic in Atlanta, Georgia. Part in-person and live-streaming, Fish House Live is the next chapter of elevated experiences that showcases the future of food alongside food, wine regions and historic cocktails. www.fishhouse.live
About Taste Network Taste Network is a culinary agency that has been championing the good food movement since 2002. They offer strategic consultancy, marketing, and culinary expertise to clients, additionally Taste Network’s proprietary events target trade and consumers with the health benefits of sourcing sustainable and ethical food and beverage. Taste Network educates on the premium lifestyle, ultimately making everyday influencers better, more knowledgeable ambassadors. www.tastenetwork.com
About Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection Located in the heart of Aspen, the 99-room Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection, is one of the great hotels of the American West. The 131-year-old historic landmark, which is part of the National Register of Historic Places, boasts luxurious, contemporary accommodations and modern amenities that honor the property’s iconic mountain spirit. The hotel’s two luxurious Residential Penthouses offer everything from private elevator entrance to spectacular mountain views. Sophisticated amenities include the legendary J-Bar, which is lauded as an Aspen institution; Prospect, an American bistro; après-ski favorite – the Living Room bar and lounge; sultry underground bar Bad Harriet; The Garden, featuring a cocktail program designed to highlight the best of the summer season and showcase the herbs & flowers grown in the Hotel Jerome garden. Additional highlights include the award-winning spa; state-of-the-art fitness facilities; ski concierge; outdoor pool and hot tub. www.aubergeresorts.com/hoteljerome
Cheers! Brady Lowe - Founder
CONGRATULATIONS TO ERIN CAITY OF OLAMAIE IN
AUSTIN TEXAS FOR WINNING THE TEXAS PUNCH TOUR
A CELEBRATORY ATMOSPHERE TO SUPPORT TEXAS CULINARY INNOVATION
Thirsty Texans can use a drink, and Taste Network is proud to partner with Buffalo Trace and the Texas Food & Wine Alliance (TFWA) on the Texas Edition of Fish House Punch, three spirited competitions featuring a stunning lineup of barkeeps, chefs and wine professionals at the top of their game working together to spotlight spirits, sustainable fisheries and world-class wines. At each event, four barkeeps create a hand-crafted "Fish House Punch" to reintroduce one of the oldest surviving colonial American libations and to score votes from a panel of notable judges.
Guests enter into a celebratory atmosphere combining gastronomy and responsible aquaculture with all proceeds benefiting TFWA. Bourbon lovers rejoice with Buffalo Trace and stand alongside notable judges while barkeeps go head-to-head reviving the communal pre-Covid equivalent to a water cooler with the punch bowl. Food and wine enthusiasts are rewarded with sustainable fish and plant-based bites from amazing chefs paired with wines from Ribera y Rueda, Spain’s two most famous wine regions.
The events will feature 12 prominent barkeeps going virtual on their personal Instagram Live accounts during the competition. At-home enthusiasts can tune in with their glass of Buffalo Trace and follow along, gathering ideas and engaging with performing talent. Everyone together is paying homage to the old world, when life was simpler and food was cleaner.
Fish House Punch first appeared in 1735 at Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania - which was the first angling cooperative and longest-running social club in English-speaking world, known to many as Fish House. George Washington was an honorary member and frequently over-indulged on Fish House Punch.
AUSTIN
June 6, 2021| 3-5:30 pm
Kalimotxo 607 W 3rd St. #105
limit 100 tickets
HOUSTON
June 8, 2021| 5-7:30 pm
Be More Pacific 506 Yale St. Ste. E
limit 100 tickets
DALLAS
June 9, 2021| 5-7:30 pm
The Gaston House 4802 Gaston Ave.
limit 75 tickets, 21+, Parking Limited
Chef Prepare Crudos, Ceviches and More
Each competition features chefs from around the country. They present three dishes to a panel of six judges and thousands of online viewers in hopes of being named the winner. Each event included dialogue and discussion with chefs around sustainability and responsible seafood. The chefs below participated in 2020.
WE LAUNCHED A NATIONAL PUNCH CONTEST
ART’QUARIUM CLARIFIED PUNCH CONTEST
Hosted by Fish House Live featuring Wheatley Vodka
Enter your original Clarified Punch recipe for a chance to win $500, a VVIP behind the scenes tour and trip Frankfort, KY, home of Wheatley Vodka and Buffalo Trace Distillery! This contest is open to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia, who are 21 years of age or older. Refer to “The Rules” for more specific details regarding the recipe and social media requirements.
Not familiar with Fish House Live and Art’Quarium? The contest is centralized around artistic expression and making delicious clarified punch. Start with a fishbowl, punch bowl or glass vessel, add your favorite aquatic theme, fill with a clarified punch, take photos and share with the world on social media - and don’t forget to enjoy responsibly with your closest friends! The contest runs from 10/29/20 – 11/30/20. There will be three finalists selected and [1] one grand-prize winner. The winner will receive a round-trip ticket to Buffalo Trace Distillery on December 7-9, an exclusive behind the scenes tour with the folks behind Wheatley Vodka, $500 of spending cash and 5L Buffalo Trace barrel (an approximate $1,000 value).
Judging will be completed around November 30th. Administered by Fish House Live and sponsored by Taste Network LLC. Our lead Virtual Judges: Award Winning Punch King Steven Minor (currently the Beverage Director 1 Hotels Miami) and Brady Lowe founder of Punch Kings and Fish House Live will recreate the punches and judge the finalists.
Read the Official Rules - click here
Watch the Welcome Video - click here
GUIDELINES TO ENTER
Meet the requirements
Must be 21 to participate (proof of age)
The clarified punch must include 700ml of the feature spirit: Wheatley Vodka
The submission must be a clarified punch presented within an aquatic / marine theme
The submission can have a maximum of 10 ingredients
Water, ice and garnishes do not count as ingredients
Garnishes must be 3 items or less
Recipes should use readily available ingredients, commonly sourced from retailers, farmers market and/or online stores
Punch recipes including a “homemade ingredient” can be used but the recipe of the “homemade ingredient” must be included
Barkeeps can request reimbursement for [1] 750ml of Wheatley Vodka. Fish House will Venmo $30 to the first 60 completed submissions with Proof of Purchase (aka digital copy of the receipt)
Barkeeps Must Complete the Online Entry Form Below
FILL OUT THE OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
OFFICIAL ENTRANT’S FORM - clicked here
INCLUDING
Contact Information
Recipe - yields 12+ servings
Recipe Accuracy - step by step detail of your creation
Entries must be submitted by November 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST
Judging CriteriA
Creativity (25%): Is the punch creative from inspiration through photos?
Perceived Taste (25%): Does the recipe look balanced, is it craveable?
Presentation (25%): Does the Art’Quarium have an aquatic theme?
Recipe Accuracy & Measurements (25%): Are the dry ingredients in grams and wet ingredients listed in ounces? Does the recipe taste good?
A Resource Guide is posted below for your continued education.
SATISFY VISUAL ASSETS & SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
INCLUDING
Submit [2] Photos - high quality image aquarium style punch BOWL & garnished CUP
Photo illustrating detail and BOWL theme
Photo of Punch Single Serving CUP with Garnish
Submit Selfie Video - phone-style is great, tell us your name & what inspired you
Create Instagram Post of Punch Photo & Selfie Video
Include Description of Punch Recipe
Tag @FishHouse_Live @WheatleyVodka @BuffaloTraceDistillery
Hashtag #ArtQuarium #Contest #SustainableSeafood
Create Facebook Post with Punch Photo & Full Recipe
Post the Full Recipe & Photo on Fish House Live FB Page
Punch has a long, intertwined history steeped in the world of mixology and distilled spirits. Pre-dating the cocktail, Punch was around before people thought of creating individualized drinks for just one person at a time and instead, created a large drink to be served in a communal setting. Consisting of 5 main ingredients: Sugar, Water, Citrus, Spice & Booze, punch’s base structure will have evolved to set the building blocks for many classic cocktails that we hold so dear to our hearts today.
We want to honor the historical importance that punch brings to our industry and would also like to poke at what we may offer to its current day fishbowl renaissance. The Art’Quarium Clarified Punch contest is seeking one of the Nations top bartenders to create a unique clarified punch presented in an aquarium-style vessel that tells your story. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOWL, feel free to use alternative milks, think sustainable and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
RESOURCE GUIDE
FISH BOWLS Click here
GOOD READS / PUNCH INSPIRATIONS
Dairy Free Punch Alternatives - LIQUOR.COM
Both Whole Milk & Agar Agar Applications - LIQUOR.COM
The Science of Clarified Cocktails - SEVENFIFTY
Got Clarified Milk? - PUNCH
Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl By David Wondrich (Book) - AMAZON
Pineapple Clarified Punch - How to Clarify Cocktails - CRAFT & COCKTAILS
SUGGESTED INGREDIENTS
Clarify with Whole Milk, Goat Milk, Coconut Milk, etc
FILTRATION TOOLS
GOOD LUCK!
Art’Quarium Contest Results
Sam Garcia (Chicago)
Boleo at The Gray Hotel
Maybe It’s Only Us - Winner!
When coming up with this concept, I wanted to hone in on the theme of the contest. My mind wandered to literature and I immediately thought of “Lord of the Flies”. The punch bowl reflects the importances of the conch in the book and so it became an important element to the visual aspect of my serve. I wanted to showcase the stranded beach and incorporate those aquatic elements into the photo; a desolate beauty highlighted by the natural colors of a beach.
With the cocktail, I wanted to represent something with a juxtaposition. Where expectations differ from reality. I want people to look at the cocktail serve and expect something fruity and bright with sweetness but get a surprise when you take the first sip with the creamy texture. In the mid palette I wanted to showcase the passionfruit and citrus. Finishing off with strong spirit forward notes and the warming spiced flavors of allspice and black pepper from Wheatley Vodka.
CLICK FOR RECIPE
Samuel did an exception job creating a process for recreation at home. Upon discussing the process with Samuel, he mentioned using at-home techniques were limiting but a fun challenge. Additionally, he loved the personal approach to the contest, saying it was nice to see his fellow competitors put some much passion into the project, something that is not typical of spirit competitions.
Gwen Whiting (Honolulu)
Gin & Julep Cocktail Co.
The Red Sea - Runner up
INGREDIENTS
Wheatley Vodka
Hibiscus Tea
Clove Syrup
Lemon Juice
Whole Milk
Wash
Brut Champagne
CLICK FOR RECIPE
A truly amazing presentation from recipe walkthroughs and simplicity. We really appreciate her approach to making clarified punch easy to recreate at home.
Lance Bowman (Chicago)
The Alderman / Pilsen Yards
The Sunken Buddha - Runner up
INGREDIENTS
Buddha's Hand & Long Peppercorn Infused Wheatley Vodka
Yuzu Sake
Creme de Violette
Coconut Milk
Fair Trade Masala Chai & Palm Sugar Syrup
Citrus Stock
Smoked Black Tea
“Umami Ocean” Tincture
CLICK FOR RECIPE
The team was very impressed with the approach, a little more complicated, but nonetheless, a garnish worth giving it shot at home with social distancing a foot.
Nadia Hernandez (Austin)
Watertrade + Otoko
Akai Samurai Punch - Runner up
INGREDIENTS
Wheatley Vodka
Shiso Syrup
Strawberry Juice
Yuzu Juice
Lemon Juice
Sansho Pepper Tincture
Aperol
We loved Nadia and the teams narrative of their punch. Kudos to a beautiful presentation!
FEATURED BRANDS
NINE EVENTS
Taste Network and Buffalo Trace Distillery entered into an agreement to showcase spirits, transfer education and create content-rich media alongside talent at celebrated events. As the pandemic expanded its reach, we pivoted from in-person events with a premium hotel partner to live-streaming culinary competition with a national media partner and reduced capacity. The goal: create tons of content and reach our fans while supporting our independent restaurant buddies.
Fish House Live filled the room with influencers, celebrated chefs, notable barkeeps, celebrity judges and a world-famous DJ for 9 events starting August 14, ending December 6th. That included 8 competitions and a finale for the bartenders. Additionally, we hosted the first virtual (clarified punch) competition that reached hundreds of barkeeps and beverage directors from Miami to Hawaii in hopes to win the grand prize - a trip to the distillery to meet the folks behind the scenes.
Taste Network designed the run of show to maximize our five hour shooting schedule, we created evergreen content that can be used throughout the year. Each minute captured on camera was distributed through a mass network of influencers. We streamed dynamic programs, cut sizzles, created promotional videos, posted micro-content on social channels and shared brand missions with hundreds of thousands of viewers. It was a turnkey solution for now and the future of integrating digital and in-person events to stimulate consumer purchasing.
OUR MISSION was to spotlight one of the finest distillers in the world alongside top barkeeps and chefs impacted by the pandemic while discussing sustainability, marine stewardship and the future of food. We aimed to resurrect “Fish House Punch” which is possibly our oldest punch recipe in the USA. Fish House Live launched a virtual competition, hosted the winners in Kentucky. We wanted to make new friends and stand by old friends when the world turn upside down on them. #StandStrong
A TRULY INTEGRATED PLATFORM
16 Barkeeps Resurrected Fish House Punch
Why is Fish House the thing? The original Fish House was established in 1732 (before we were a country) and today remains as America’s first fishing cooperative in the 13 colonies and longest-standing social club in the English speaking culture. George Washington was an honorary member and was known to over indulge on Fish House Punch frequently. Today, the reinvented event pays homage to old times, when there was no short cuts, when life was simpler and spirits were cleaner.
How’d it work? The best barkeeps in Georgia would choose a feature spirit - Buffalo Trace Bourbon or Wheatley Vodka - to make their Fish House Punch. Two barkeeps per event, they told their story on Instagram Live, Facebook Live and to a group of notable judges and affluent consumers. Each bowl started with two bottles of the feature spirit and included the story of Fish House Punch.
What am I looking at? Below are promotional images of the barkeeps right next to the punch they submitted for judging. Judges voted on three categories (taste, creativity) and presentation = how the barkeep integrated the feature spirit on Instagram Live, in-person and as an ambassador for the brand. Lastly, this was a punch competition not cocktails, so each barkeep was judged on ease of creation and sharing at-home. To close the gallery, we included some of our audiences favorite images that saw the highest number of engagements on social media based on who posted them and the size of their following. We also provided a boost or two 😉
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FISH HOUSE
This recap video from our Grand Finale event where 8 barkeeps came together to serve their peers. The event served two main purposes:
Hold an in-person trade only barkeep appreciation event and show love for their hard work in a very challenging year.
Invite previous Fish House Punch winners to face off in a finale event featuring our favorite spirits.
The next day, we loaded up in a sprinter van and headed to Buffalo Trace Distillery for a memorable trip.
Sizzles were posted on Maxim.com
Taste Network Newsletter Inclusions
Database Size: 120,000
Total Blasts: 10
Clicks: 270,980
Virtual Clarified Punch Contest
We invited thousands of top bartenders and beverage directors around the country to enter Art’Quarium - a clarified Punch Contest featuring Wheatley Vodka. The grand prize was $500 and a VVIP behind the scenes trip Frankfort, KY, home of Buffalo Trace Distillery. Within the Fish House Live ecosystem, Art’Quarium was a contest designed to honor the historical importance that punch brings to our industry and communities - we also wanted to reinvent the current day fishbowl in eyes of industry leaders. The Art’Quarium Clarified Punch contest asked bartenders to create a clarified punch presented in an aquarium-style vessel that told a story, post a blend of videos, photos and recipes that could be recreated at home and work on Facebook and Instagram while tagging our feature spirit @WheatleyVodka. It worked and it is a renewable asset every year.
Watch the Video Invitation
Our Platform Delivered
We Created a Turnkey + Multi-Faceted Integrated Social Media Platform
We Hosted In-Person Culinary Competitions for Small Groups + Broadcasted Globally
Negotiated + Contracted Media Buy with National Media Partner to Expand Reach
Created Exclusive Spirit Partner Opportunities within a Streaming Digital Platform
Featured 2 Spirit Brands in Competition while spotlighting 16 Chefs & 16 Barkeeps
Hosted Safe & Responsible Events, Traveled 10 Chefs + 8 Barkeeps without Exposure
Appointed 54 Celebrity Judges across 9 Events to Vote for Winning Chefs & Barkeeps
Distributed 16 Media Alerts featuring All Brands and Talent to Outlets
Created a Streaming Series with Multiple Brand Cross Promotions on a National Platform
Hosted 24 Hours of Live-Streaming on Maxim’s Facebook Live
Delivered 8 Brand Features on Maxim.com including Photos & Recipes
8 Winning Punch Recipes to be posted on Maxim.com
Created Assets for 24 Maxim Facebook Posts
Created Assets for 8 Maxim Instagram Posts
Created, Hosted and Catered a Trade Appreciation Event (45 guests)
Created, Hosted and Invited Trade to the Grand Finale Punch Competition (8 Barkeeps)
Resurrected a 200 year old Fish House Punch Brand into Digital Format
Created a Renewable Virtual Contest called Art’Quarium
Hosted a FAM Trip for 8 Barkeeps & Beverage Directors to Distillery
All Items were Turnkey for Buffalo Trace Distillery
Maxim’s Facebook Insight from Fish House Live
These are screenshots of pre-posts, post-event and streaming video on Maxim’s Facebook page
Chefs & Barkeep Instagram Mentions
Notable chefs and barkeeps reached their followers with news of the brand and event via Instagram Live, it was amazing!
It would take an army to track engagements and impact our chefs, judges and barkeeps had on the event as a result of our co-promotions.
No Associated Media Value has been assigned to this asset but it does carry a value.
WHAT’S THE FUTURE & CAPABILITIES OF THE FISH HOUSE MODEL?
Looking forward to learning how Fish House Live can reach your buyers.
Insights Gallery of Screenshots
We pulled a sampling of insights from hundreds of screenshots showcasing engagement and reach via our media partner, talent and house accounts.