Blevins wins ORA Cocktail Shakedown

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Garrett Blevins from Winstar World Casino in Thackerville took first place for creating an outstanding cocktail using the final championship mystery ingredient – a Vault Ice shot glass ice cube – at the sixth annual Oklahoma Restaurant Association Cocktail Shakedown .

Blevins was one of several bartenders scoring the highest number of total points in the first and second rounds of the competition at the ORA Expo in Oklahoma City, qualifying them to advance and compete in the Semi-Finals and Championship Round.

Blevins’ concoction earned him a $1,500 cash prize, the grand champion belt, a third-generation Apple Watch, and a Vault Ice prize package.

 Josiah Reeder of Ponyboy also showed his creative talents throughout the day, eventually claiming second place and walking away with $750, Apple EarPods and a Vault Ice prize package.

Each competitor received a gift basket full of competition swag!

“It was an added treat that this year’s bartenders came from a very diverse group of member restaurants and bars, and it’s great to see all of the new talent,” said Patti Colley, ORA chief strategy officer. “With any competition, organization and a quality product is imperative, and make no mistake, the Shakedown’s continued success is possible only because of such an incredible group of volunteers, industry partners and fans.”

Blevins and Reeder competed against 14 other bartenders from ORA member restaurants. Each bartender was judged on taste and balance, originality, and drink and stage presentation.

Other competing bartenders included T.J. Apple, Gun Izakaya, Oklahoma City; Nathan Cover, Jones Assembly, Oklahoma City; Rainier Crespo, Noonrise Kingdom Events, Oklahoma City; Rebecca Hargrove-Santos, Paseo Grill, Oklahoma City; Megan Harris, Stitch Café, Oklahoma City; Haley Harmon, Grady’s 66 Pub, Yukon; Matthew Land, Bar 46, Tulsa; Ryan McCann, Yokozuna, Oklahoma City; Alex Roth, Sidecar Chisholm Creek, Oklahoma City; Kaleigh Slack, Hacienda Tacos, Oklahoma City; James Stallings, O Bar at Ambassador Hotel, Oklahoma City; Sara Stewart, Doc’s Wine & Food, Tulsa; Thomas Upshaw, Bunker Club, Oklahoma City; and Matthew Walden, Guyutes, Oklahoma City.