Gutierrez is shaking things up in Austin this evening. (Courtesy David Rangel)
Bar-badasses Elisabeth Forsythe (bar manager at Barbaro and this year's Miss Speed Rack Texas) and Javier Gutierrez (Brooklynite, Stay Golden Social House) are heading up to Austin this evening to compete in the GQ Magazine's Most Imaginative Bartender Competition sponsored by Bombay Sapphire (AKA the wordiest competition ever), presented by the United States Bartender's Guild.
The contest, which will be inside Austin's The Market (319 Colorado) will run 7 to 11 p.m. with bartenders from Austin vying for a spot at the finals in Las Vegas along with bartenders from 27 other cities in the U.S.
Forsythe and Gutierrez are the only two bartenders from San Antonio to compete. For his part Gutierrez entered a "Baci e Meloni," a variation on the Negroni with sweet vermouth, Campari and Bombay Sapphire. He hopes the addition of pink peppercorns and Italian basil will accentuate botanicals such as almond, coriander already found in Bombay.
"That's kind of my thing–I like to curate cocktails based on classics that pair savory and floral notes, light and bright flavors that compliment the spirit," Guiterrez said via a quickie phone call this afternoon while he prepared for the night's event.
His entourage will include San Antonio natives currently based in Austin, Jeret Peña and former co-workers from Gutierrez's time as Feast's bar manager. San Anto bar-goers can enjoy the Baci e Meloni at the end of July when the Brooklynite releases its new menu.
