Ladies gear up for Speed Rack UK return

All-female speed bartending competition Speed Rack returns to the UK this month to raise money for breast cancer charities.

Having raised over US$250,000 through its US-based competitions, the first of which was held last year, Speed Rack invites female bartenders to compete against one another in a race against the clock.

Twelve bartenders have been whittled down from over 50 to compete at a live final held at the Oval Space in London on 23 June. Each bartender will be required to create their chosen recipe as quickly and accurately as possible.

This year’s judges include Jake Burger of Portobello Road, Ali Dedianko, global brand ambassador for Belvedere Vodka, and Sandrae Lawrence, co-editor of The Cocktail Lovers. London Cocktail Club’s JJ Goodman will MC the competition.

The competition, which charges £15 for entry when bought online, or £20 on the door, will raise funds for breast cancer charity The Haven.

The 12 finalists competing in Speed Rack UK 2014, are:

India Blanch, Made In The Shade, London
Charlotte Berger, Steam & Rye, London
Sian Ferguson, 99 Bar & Kitchen, Aberdeen
Claire Houghton, Manchester House, South Manchester
Charlene Holt, Apotheca, Manchester
Clotilde Lataille, Hawksmoor Spitafields Bar, London
Sophie Mackay, House Of Wolf, London
Jessica Antoinette Rebecca Munro, The Alchemist NYS, Manchester
Rosie Paterson, The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Stephanie Smith, The Victoria, Birmingham
Kaiko Tulloch, Bon Vivant Stockbridge, Edinburgh
Elizabeth Ward, The Liar’s Club, Manchester