March 26th, 2019

// Speed Rack Canada Returns for a Fourth Season of Celebrating the Nation’s Women Behind the Bar

Speed Rack Canada Returns for a Fourth Season of Celebrating the Nation’s Women Behind the Bar

The all-female speed bartending competition that raises money for breast cancer research will host the national finals of their fourth Canadian competition season in Montreal on Monday, May 13th CANADA (March 2019) -- Cocktails, competition, camaraderie - Speed Rack is back for its fourth spirited swing around Canada, as part of the organization’s eighth global competition season. The all-female speed-bartending competition has visited five Canadian cities during preliminary rounds this year, whittling down the country’s new group of top female mixologists - a uniquely impressive range of first-year bartenders to decorated mixologists and longtime bar managers - who will soon go head-to-head for the coveted title of Miss Speed Rack Canada 2019 at Les Foufounes Électriques in Montreal on May 13th.
As always, the competition in Speed Rack Canada Season 4 promises to be fierce, but so does the fundraising. Co-founders Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix started Speed Rack in the U.S. in 2011 as a way to give back to the bar community while simultaneously providing a platform for up-and coming female bartenders. To date, Speed Rack has raised over $850,000 worldwide for breast cancer prevention, treatment and awareness. This year’s mission in Canada is no different with 100% of ticket sales being donated to Speed Rack Canada’s official charity partners, The Breast Cancer Support Fund and Breast Cancer Action Quebec.
“We’re very passionate about the number of different charities that we support in cities across the world as we continue to grow, and are excited to be so close to our longtime goal of $1 million raised for charity”  states Speed Rack co-founder, Lynnette Marrero. “The competition is always exciting, and we love seeing the hard work and creativity behind the bar from the Speed Rack competitors every year, but at the end of the day, our mission is to spread awareness and support research to ultimately end this disease that so many of us have been touched by in one way or another.”
The fundraising is already off to a strong start with over $26,000 raised so far this season, thanks to a combined effort of proceeds from the five preliminary regional finals in Vancouver (Feb 24), Toronto (Feb 25), Calgary (March 3), Montreal (March 4), and Halifax (March 11), as well as donations from the esteemed national non-profit organization, Restaurants Canada, who partnered with Speed Rack Canada to showcase the Toronto preliminary finals during a sold-out “Industry Night Out” event on February 25th.Last year’s Speed Rack global season saw the organization’s return to Canada for a third year, as well as their much anticipated debut first season in Australia, and expansion to multiple corners of the globe. “Going into our eighth year of Speed Rack, we’re so excited to continue growing this community across the globe.” says Speed Rack co-founder, Ivy Mix. “What started out as an idea to give female bartenders a space to thrive in a male-dominated industry, has grown into this incredible network where women from around the world are able to connect and support each other both in and out of the industry, and that’s something we’re really proud to be a part of.”
Every year, the community and sense of community expands - but what’s a little competition between friends? Regional winners from each preliminary round will go head-to-head during the national finals, making classic cocktails in timed heats as a panel of industry-experts judge their final execution. The star-studded cast of judges this season have included a variety of industry experts and drink writers, including Michael Hopper (Owner of Highwayman), Kate Boushel (Beverage Director at Barocco Group) and the renowned spirits expert and author, Elayne Duff who judged the Toronto preliminary competition. Industry heavyweights Kaitlyn Stewart (Diageo World Class Global Champion 2017) & Kelsey Ramage (Co-Founder of Trash Tiki) are both signed on to judge the national finals in May.
Tickets for upcoming events can be procured on Speed Rack’s Website: http://events.speed-rack.com/ca/season-4. You can also follow the organization @speed_rack on Instagram and Twitter and at on Facebook at facebook.com/speedrackinfo. #backtherackABOUT SPEED RACK:Speed Rack was created and produced by nationally acclaimed bartenders and industry ambassadors, Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix. The first nationwide competition was designed to highlight up-and-coming women in the cocktail industry, and give back to those impacted by breast cancer, Speed Rack taps top female bartenders in leading cocktail markets and puts them head to head in timed challenges – all for the purpose of raising funds for breast cancer charities. To date, Speed Rack has raised more than $850,000 for charities supporting breast cancer research.
ABOUT THE BREAST CANCER SUPPORT FUND The Breast Cancer Support Fund is a national charity managed by a volunteer board and an advisory team. Their goal is to be a change-maker among breast cancer organizations by raising awareness about the financial crisis that too often accompanies a breast cancer diagnosis and, with the support of individuals and organizations, bridge that gap between the financial reality faced by patients and the limited financial resources available.
ABOUT BREAST CANCER ACTION QUEBECBreast Cancer Action Quebec is a non-profit advocacy group directed by women who have been sensitized to the trauma of breast cancer and who are committed to prevention and the reduction of the incidence of this disease. Breast Cancer Action Quebec is the only independent breast cancer organization in Canada whose mission is to work for the prevention of breast cancer and the elimination of environmental toxicants linked to the disease.
ABOUT RESTAURANTS CANADA:Restaurants Canada is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant industry. Canada’s restaurant industry directly employs 1.2 million Canadians and serves 18 million customers every day.
REGIONAL FINALISTS:
Vancouver: Carolyn Yu - Gotham Steakhouse, BartenderAmber Bruce  - Keefer Bar, Bar Manager
Toronto:Colie Ehrenworth - Mahjong Bar, BartenderMarta S. - Chantecler, BartenderMonique Godinho - The Cloak Bar, BartenderAdriana Cavarra - Mother Tongue, Bartender
Alberta:Christine Verdone - Milk Tiger Lounge, BartenderMaya Bartha - Bartender
Quebec:Daphnee Vary - Foxy, BartenderKate Boushel - Barocco Group, Beverage DirectorTep Yith - La Distillerie, BartenderEmilie Loiselle - Cloakroom Bar, Bartender
Halifax:Ellie Rideout - The Ostrich Club, BartenderMackenzie Bouchard - Middle Spoon, Bartender
SPONSORS:
Platinum:Lot 40 100% RyeKettle One VodkaBulleit Bourbon Bacardi Rum Johnnie Walker Black Label Jack Daniels No.7
Gold: Courvoisier CognacMartini Herradura Tequila Tequila Tromba Ungava Gin Tanqueray Gin
Local:Bittered Sling BittersAlambika

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