Inaugural Bar Star Award winners named
New York Bartender Week has announced the winners of its first Bar Star Awards as its second edition kicks off.
PR and marketing agency Hanna Lee Communications launched New York Bartender Week in 2024 with the aim of highlighting bartenders, bar backs, bar and restaurant owners, and hoteliers across the state.
The second edition of the event kicked off on 16 November, launching with a gala to celebrate the Bar Star Awards.
Seven bartenders and seven bar backs were awarded at the event, which was emceed by Emmy Award-winning TV host Lauren Scala.
The winners were whittled down from more than 100 entries.
To enter, bartenders and bar backs shared a personal story about their journey into the bar world and the challenges they have overcome.
The bartender winners were:
- Anton Kinloch, Lone Wolf, Kingston, NY
- Carlos Soto, The Ivory Peacock, NYC
- Cassedy Veillard, The Tyger & Milly’s Neighborhood Bar, NYC
- Edgar Hernandez, Freemans, NYC
- Jonathan Gonzalez, Hunter & Thief, Lindenhurst, NY
- Leanne Favre, Dolores, NYC
- Sungrae Choi, Seoul Salon, NYC
The winning bar backs were:
- Ángel López, Jade & Clover, NYC
- Daniel Lopez, LenLen and Maison Premiere, NYC
- Fuze Chok-Umnoui, Lucky Cat Izakaya, NYC
- Jayquane X. Lamar-Vanterpool, Bazaar Bar, NYC
- Jose Castillo, Casanara, NYC
- Lena Biçakçi, Champagne Problems, NYC
- Teddy Chantarasombat, Mangetsu, NYC
Hanna Lee said: “New York City and New York State are home to some of the most visionary and hardworking bartenders and barbacks in the world, and the Bar Star Awards were created to shine a spotlight on these amazing individuals.
“Their unsung stories of hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence moved our judging panel members and deserve to be spotlighted. We salute them tonight.”
The awards were judged by 13 drinks journalists from the US, the UK and South Africa: Adam Reiner, Austa Clausen, Gary Sharpen, Jake Emen, Kara Newman, Kirk Miller, Leah Van Deventer, Paul Clarke, Robert Simonson, Sandrae Lawrence, Sean Flynn, Shay Waterworth and Tony Sachs.
Michael Anstendig, co-founder of New York Bartender Week, added: “We thank our judging panel members for doing the Herculean task of choosing the winners.
“Bartenders and barbacks are the heartbeat of New York’s vibrant hospitality scene, and the Bar Star Awards celebrate their personal journeys driven by passion, professionalism and artistry. By recognising these remarkable talents and celebrating their untold stories, we hope to inspire others to join this noble profession.”
The second New York Bartender Week features 130 bars and 36 local spirits. Each participating venue will serve cocktails themed around New York state and incorporating at least one local ingredient.
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