Chris Conatser is Kansas City's Best Bartender!

BY OWEN MORRIS

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Congratulations to Chris Conatser of Delaware Café for winning the Greater Kansas City Bartending Competition this past Sunday. His drink, the Go Figure Cocktail, bested thirteen other cocktails made by the finest barmen and barwomen of Kansas City. It was all for a good cause too, with the proceeds going to the Halo Foundation, a Kansas City-based charity that provides art therapy for orphans worldwide.

Runner-up was Jen Johnson of Pierpont's in Union Station, whose specialty drink was named The Velvet Rope.

In addition to the specialty drink, each competitor was judged on his or her classic-cocktail-making ability. When asked what was the biggest challenge, Johnson said it was her nerves. "Having to perform in front of all those people. I was feeling really nervous. But a couple of Manhattans did the trick ... also the tiebreaker questions reminded me that I need to hit the books."

Jennifer Tosatto of Bar Natasha finished third with her specialty drink, My Big Fat Greek Cocktail.

Event creator Ryan Maybee, of JP Wine Bar said he was not only extremely happy with the competitors but also with the crowd. "It was a great turn-out and also it was a really great time."

We'll drink to that.

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