Local bartenders take a shot at national competition

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997 | 10:18 a.m.

Ten teams of bartenders from Nevada and New Mexico met at a centrally located Applebee's to vie for the regional title and the chance to go to the national competition. Winning wasn't easy: Each Applebee's Grill & Bar in the region was visited and graded on overall cleanliness and organization. Then bartenders from each location partnered for four rounds of competition.

The first round was followed by a three-week-long salesmanship contestin which the entire staff from each participating restaurant took part. Scores from the first two rounds were tallied to determine the winners for the region.

"We're thrilled that our bartenders made it to the national round of the Bar Games," said Steve Pierce, general manager of the Lake Mead Applebee's. "It's an enjoyable event -- for the bartenders who are competing and for the crowds who are watching. And the fact that they're doing it to raise money for the food bank makes it all the more rewarding."

The Bar Games will benefit Atlanta Community Food Bank. The organization provides food assistance to nonprofit agencies serving the needy in the Atlanta area in an effort to fight the dual problems of hunger and food waste. Since its beginning in 1979, more than 450 corporations, wholesalers, farmers' markets, retailers, brokers, caterers, local food drives and individuals have donated more than 104 million pounds of food to the food bank and the Atlanta community.

Bromley and Loguidice will compete against eight other teams Sunday at the "James Carter Memorial Arena" -- the Applebee's at 7190 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross. If the team wins, they'll head to the Franchise Convention in Palm Springs, Calif., for fun and fame. They'll be featured in booths of companies who sponsored the Bar Games. Runners-up will win medals, and all of the participants receive "Official Bar Games Gear."

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