[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”2/3″][text_output]Sixteen teams went head to head at The Starboard Restaurant’s 3rd Annual Bloody Mary Contest on Sunday, May 15th. Some of the best restaurants in town turned out to compete in the hope of taking the title of “Best Overall Bloody Mary,” and it was quite a show. Co-owner Dickey Heidenberger, clad in his signature red suit and WWII bomber hat, played emcee for the day, and was the perfect compliment to the casual chaos that accompanies any Starboard-centric event.
A behind the scenes madhouse gave way to stellar bloodies, from the tropical to the green and the down right whacky, every savory beverage was piled high—dressed to the nines in garnish—and shown off by its creators to an eager crowd.
Highlights included Jimmy’s Grille whose “choke the chicken” bloody mary featured homemade chocolate covered Oreos and their own friend chicken; Que Pasa’s taco salad bloody, featuring a full taco salad with a deep-fried soft shell crab; and winner for stage presence, and the most elegant of the day, 99 Sea Level’s bloody mary featuring a lamb lollipop and perfectly fried quail egg.
The prize for creativity undoubtedly went to The Starboard, who rocked their home field advantage by presenting the most colossal bloody mary board ever. Their amazing mug of bloody goodness was also a meal fit for a king with a bone-in steak, soft-shell crabs, scallops wrapped in bacon, crabclaw, a fruit kabob, and was ultimately topped with an entire hamburger. It was truly a presentation that defied explanation.
Best taste went to Blue Coast, whose beverage had a spicy kick and a sweet finish that kept the judges coming back for more. But the Grand Champion of the day went to Nalu, who served their winning bloody in a frozen pineapple shell. Prizes included $500 cash to the winner, and bragging rights. Runners up got $100 in gift certificates to the Starboard and Bethany Blues.
Whether all the revelry was a product of the sunny day or the Tito’s vodka, we’ll never know, but it was an event to remember. It was also a fine farewell to one of the Starboard’s own, Matt Huber, who is leaving after 11 years at The Starboard to pursue a career in Media Production.
Steve “Monty” Montgomery and the whole Starboard crew want to thank everyone who came out to enjoy the day and get a taste of the bloody madness.[/text_output][/vc_column][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/3″][image type=”none” float=”none” info=”popover” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”click” src=”23017″ alt=”” href=”” title=”Long time employee Matt Huber celebrated his last day by sampling all the bloodies on hand. This taco bloody is by Que Pasa. ” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]