For five years, the Heaven Hill Bartender of the Year competition has been recognized and revered in the industry and among key influencers as a leading platform. The competition is not only about skill, craft and creativity, but also inspiration, family, and hospitality, bringing together the best of the industry. All of this is rooted in three guiding pillars that represent the cornerstones of the program – professional development, family and authentic brand integration.

2020 Competition Recap

In a typical year, bartenders from across the country submit their original cocktail recipes for a chance to become a regional semifinalist, finalist, and ultimately the Heaven Hill Bartender of the Year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 competition pivoted midway through the regional semifinalist tour to a virtual format. The final competition was originally structured as a trip to Half Mile Farm in Highlands, North Carolina in June 2020 where the eight contestants would vie for $15,000 and the Bartender of the Year title. Amidst the global pandemic, the remainder of the 2020 Bartender of the Year semifinal competitions transitioned beginning with the Chicago regional in October. The new format ensured participants had the opportunity to learn from and interact with top industry experts while utilizing their craft during this difficult time. Rather than name an official Bartender of the Year for 2020, each finalist was honored for their dedication and commitment as changes continue to impact the industry.

In appreciation and support of hospitality partners and mixologists, the championship prize pool was increased to $40,000 to be split among each finalist. Each finalist received $5,000, a paycheck that meant more to them than the company could begin to understand. 2020 was a true test for not only the program, but the bartending and hospitality community as a whole and Heaven Hill was thrilled to play a small role in building that community up.

2021 Competition: Bartender of the Year Reimagined

With the learnings from 2020, Heaven Hill will employ a new structure and enhanced mission in 2021 called the Craft Meets Community Initiative (CMCI). This extension of the Bartender of the Year program was developed to provide greater access industry-wide to education, mentorship, and leadership engagement opportunities. CMCI will replace the typical competition structure and serve as the 2021 Bartender of the Year Program.

Through a series virtual of seminars and workshops led by industry experts, CMCI seeks to support, encourage, and inspire those bartenders seeking to make an impact in their communities. CMCI will offer four educational tracks focused on topics that have a strong impact on the bartending community today. Each track will organically integrate key brands, ensuring continued touchpoints with Heaven Hill’s brands. These tracks will be Education, Mentorship & Development, Health & Wellness, Environmental Impact and Sustainability, and Diversity, Equality and Serving the Underserved.

All participants will also have the option to apply for the CMCI Award Program which will award four individuals with one-on-one mentoring from an industry expert and $5,000 to fund their community-based project rooted in one of the 4 educational topics. 

Any hospitality industry professional from any part of their career journey is invited to join CMCI! There is no application to participate, there are no prerequisites, and the structure of the program allows you to choose your level of engagement.  

Heaven Hill is excited to deploy this new structure for the 2021 Bartender of the Year program to continue its support of the bartending and hospitality community. The company looks forward to a time when it can continue the traditional competition with this added focus on education and advocacy.