Dare to Flair

Tales of a Professional Showoff

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Flair Bartending night in Canada

The Toronto Flair League’s first season was incredibly successful.  The promoters were overwhelmed with the interest and passion shared not only by the competitors, but with the fans as well. In the past six months, the interest in the sport of flair bartending has risen faster than ever in the city of Toronto.Season 2 promised to be bigger and better.  One of the most notable changes was the addition of a third division. Instead of having advanced and amateur divisions, the TFL now is comprised of A, B and C divisions.

This change opened the doors for the jam packed B division (formerly the advanced division) competitors because the top 6 bartenders from season 1 were moved into the A division.

With the talent spread very evenly throughout the B division, the competition level is higher than ever before.

February 23 2011 marked the start of season 2.

There were three new competitors joining the C division including Yuki Yamazaki, Terri Lee, and Louis Brosas who were competing for the very first time.

As usual, the Loose Moose was close to capacity to witness the biggest showcase of flair bartending skills that Toronto has ever seen.

Heading into the show, odds makers had Dustin “Flair Bear” Costain as the favorite for the B division, followed closely by Jeremy Janes, Mauro Pento, Jeremy Browes, and Shay Court.

The TFL’s first 5 minute A division round kicked off with Alejandro Giraldo throwing down a near flawless routine.

At the end of the night, the crowd was eager with anticipation to find out the results for all 3 divisions.

In the C division, taking home third place was newcomer Louis Brosas.  Second place went to Yann, and taking home the C division championship was Pierre Gadouas of Montreal.

In the B division, coming in third place and the $40 prize was the Loose Moose’s own Jay Myers.  Second place and the $60 prize went to Jeremy Browes, and taking home the $100 prize and the first season 2 championship was “Flair Bear” Dustin Costain.

The A Division saw Kris Perez take third place.  Season 1 champion David Jennings took home second place, and the first ever Division A champion was Alejandro Giraldo who claimed the $150 prize.

Another successful competition by the Toronto Flair League is proof of the rising interest in flair bartending in the city of Toronto. 

There are few bartending schools in Toronto that promote and properly train bartenders  in the art of flair.  BartenderOne is responsible for training over 80% of the competitors in the TFL, and Flair Studios Canada has also done a great job preparing bartenders for competition.

Moving forward, the Toronto Flair League will be incorporating themes into their competitions to make the guest experience that much better.

Watch out for TFL 80’s night in late March.

Until then, keep flipping.

posted by admin at 11:03 am  

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Rising Stars: Zack Prohaska

Zack Prohaska

If you are like me, you love watching flair bartenders perform. There is a hypnotizing element to it all.

I sometimes find myself watching the same guys over and over again, without seeing what the new guys have to offer.

This segment features the rising stars of the world of flair bartending.

I am proud to feature a colleague of mine, who has been working overseas for a few years, and now he’s back ready to take on the best in the world.

Here’s my interview with Zack Prohaska.

How did you get into flair?

Well, one day while driving to work, a Movers ‘n’ Shakers ad was played over the radio. The ad offered flair bartending lessons taught by Gavin MacMillan of BartenderOne.

I didn’t know much about flair besides what I have seen in the movie “Cocktail”, but being a bartender, I figured it would be something fun to try.

The Movers ‘n’ Shakers course blew my mind! Way better than Tom Cruise could ever do! I couldn’t wait to start. Taking that course was one of the best things I have ever done.

What opportunities have come your way since?

A year later I was offered a job to flair bartend for largest restaurant and nightclub chain in Japan, Sam and Dave’s.

For 3 1/2 years I lived in Osaka. I have met some of the most interesting people from all over the world! Among those people have been some of the best flair bartenders in the world.

I have partied all over Japan, Korea, and Thailand all because I could throw a bottle around… pretty awesome eh?!

What does the future hold for you?

Now I am back in Canada. I am taking this time to really start training. My plan is to join the FBA tour and hopefully make my mark in the flair world.

Representing Canadian bartenders in front of hundreds of people would be an amazing experience… and I can’t wait to do it!

Thanks Zack, we can’t wait to see you set the flair world on fire.

All the best and good luck!

posted by admin at 2:31 pm  

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Bartender Profile- Dario Doimo

doimo-champion.jpg

Age: 25 Years Old.

Nationality: Italian. Born in Leonberg, (LB) Germany.

Lives: Las Vegas.
Bartending: 8 Years. Works: kahunaville las vegas.

Flairing: 7 Years.

Dario Doimo is the new world champion as he took the top prize at the Legends of Bartending championship in Las Vegas. Here is my interview with Dario Doimo.

1. Why did you get into flair?

My brother got me into the flair world. He took a basic flair course, and when he showed me what you can do with a bottle tin, I was shocked!

2. Other than yourself, who is your favourite flair bartender?

Well, I don’t have really just one, but I respect people like Rodrigo Delpech, Danilo Oribe for the determination to win.

3. What is your favourite flair bar? I enjoy every flair bar because it’s always a good time. :)

4. What is your greatest flair achievement?

For sure winning the Legend Of Bartending. Since I started flairing I always dreamt to compete in that one, and after couple years I won. It’s a dream come true!!:)

posted by admin at 10:46 am  
Next Page »

Powered by WordPress