Tales of the Toddy 2014 Winners Announced

By Chilled Magazine

Team Baked Louisiana won the team competition while Lizzy Fitzousa and Lexi Winston and MOPHO took home People’s Choice Awards at the 9th Annual Tales of the Toddy®.

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On December 18th, the 9th Tales of the Toddy®, the annual homage to the holiday spirits from Tales of the Cocktail®, was held at House of Blues in New Orleans. In addition to more than 24 original cocktail creations and world-class cuisine from some of the cities best restaurants, this year’s event added another twist on the competitive spirit with a team cocktail competition. Teams of two were judged by four local cocktail experts for bragging rights of being crowned the Tales of the Toddy® champions.

Tales of the Cocktail® is proud to announce that Team Baked Louisiana took the dancing Santa Hats and the Judge’s Choice title of Tales of the Toddy® champions. Team Baked Louisiana included Liam Deegan of Barrel Proof and Lucinda Weed of Sylvain.

“The Baked Louisiana was delicious, playful and inventive. Oh and it was on fire, literally,” said T. Cole Newton, Tales of the Toddy® Judge and Owner of 12 Mile Limit. “Overall the competition was fierce. People across the board really stepped it up. I’m just glad I wasn’t competing this year.”

In addition to the winning team, two People’s Choice Awards were given for Best Cocktail and Best Dish. Lizzy Fitzousa of Treo and Lexi Winston of Tiki Tolteca took the People’s Choice Award for Best Cocktail with the Ombibulous Gunpowder Dame toddy. Out of the eighteen restaurant competitors, MOPHO took home the award for best restaurant with their dish of Crispy Fried P&J Oysters with MOPHO Mayo and Pickled Blue Cheese.

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Judges’ Choice:

Liam Deegan & Lucinda Weed

Baked Louisiana

Serves 1

  • 1 oz. Praline Pecan Liqueur
  • 1 oz. Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 oz. Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey
  • 1/2 oz. French Truck Cold Brew Coffee

Garnish: Brûléed Mini Marshmallows

Directions: Add spirits, heavy whipping cream, French Truck Cold Brew Coffee to a shaker. Shake without ice. Pour over freshly shaved ice. Top with flaming mini marshmallows.

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People’s Choice Cocktail:

Lizzy Fitzousa & Lexi Winston

Ombibulous Gunpowder Dame

Serves 1

  • 2 oz. Reyka Vodka
  • 1/2 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
  • 3/4 oz Gunpowder Syrup
  • 1/4 oz Ronald Reginald’s Vanilla Bean Marinade

Garnish: 1 Slice Pink Lemon

Directions: Rinse or mist rocks glass with Solerno. Muddle slice of pink lemon in glass. Add gunpowder syrup and vodka. Stir and add ice. Mist with vanilla marinade and serve.

“What a way to remember our first Tales of the Toddy,” said Michael Gulotta, Chef and Owner of MOPHO. “It was a blast having guests vote with the bells. I’m honored that they chose us as the winner considering all the incredible restaurants we were up against. We’re going to have to pull out all the stops to defend our title next year.”

For a full list of all Tales of the Toddy® recipes and for more information about this summer’s 13th Annual Tales of the Cocktail®, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com.

About Tales of the Cocktail®

The Spirits Are Calling. Will you answer? They’re calling you to New Orleans for five days of seminars, tastings, product launches, competitions, networking events and so much more at the world’s premier professional cocktail event. By just being a part of this spirited gathering you’ll help your fellow cocktail professionals around the world. Funds from Tales of the Cocktail® are invested back into the industry through scholarships, tuition reimbursements, training programs and financial aid. So join us as the international spirits community answers the call, returning for another spirited round of Tales of the Cocktail®.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique cocktail culture in New Orleans and around the world through education and outreach. Every year the NOCCPS produces a number of events including Tales of the Cocktail®, Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour, and Tales of the Toddy® with proceeds being invested back into the international spirits community through educational programs, scholarships, training programs and financial aid.

Contact: Ann Tuennerman, 504-948-0511, Ann@TalesoftheCocktail.com

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