Speed Rack Season 12, Chicago: From a barbacks view….
It’s International Women’s Month!
What better way to kick things off than my review with the debut of Speed Rack Season 12 in Chicago? If you haven't experienced one of these events yet, you're truly missing out, and I urge you to become part of the community, even if it means crossing state lines to attend. The energy at Speed Rack is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I was blown away the first time I attended in Chicago, and since then, I've made it a point to volunteer every year.
For those unfamiliar with Speed Rack, it's an all-female high-speed bartending competition aimed at showcasing up-and-coming women in the cocktail industry while also supporting those affected by breast cancer. To date, Speed Rack has raised $1,000,000 for charities dedicated to breast cancer research.
As Monday afternoon rolls around, the weather in Chicago is unusually fantastic for this time of year (February 26th). Stepping into Thalia Hall, I can feel the excitement building for the iconic night ahead. The main room buzzes with brands setting up their booths, tasting batches, and aiming to impress our palates. Upstairs, the preliminaries are in full swing, accompanied by loud cheers, focused faces, and perhaps a prayer or two. But my attention is drawn to the main bars on stage, where I'll be barbacking for the night. Despite not competing, the pressure is on me to ensure everything is prepped and flawless, as my mistake could cost someone the champion title.
I'm surrounded by fellow volunteers, including Paul Sauter, a respected friend in the city who runs The Aviary, and two friends who are no strangers to this game: Krista Orlebeck and Brittany Bogdan. Both Krista and Brittany claimed titles in their respective cities last year. Krista, now working at Lazybird and Meadowlark in Chicago, dominated in Denver and clinched the National title in 2023. Brittany has been making waves in the cocktail scene, and I had the honor of being her barback at last year’s Midwest Speed Rack when she claimed the title. They understand the pressure, the need for speed and accuracy, and the importance of staying organized. Tonight, my role is simple: follow their lead.
As the doors prepare to open, ladies gather with toasts in hand, ready to hear the announcement of the Top 8. Ivy Mix shares words of encouragement and feedback, emphasizing the importance of sometimes slowing down to take the lead score.
As I look around, I realize there are many faces I don't recognize (I might touch on this another time, but it's a good thing!). As the Top 8 are revealed, the excitement and support among them is evident. Everyone succeeded, regardless of their ranking, and the camaraderie is heartwarming. I continued to witness through the night during each round.
With little time to let the news sink in, we head onstage to learn the orders and assigned bars for the final rounds. My focus is on ensuring everyone has what they need: clean glasses, the correct liquor, clean tools, and prepped garnishes. My main goal is to stay out of the way; again, one wrong move could cost my competitor the round and, ultimately, the title.
The energy of the competition is electric. The room is themed in black and pink, spectators arrive with posters and props, and the cheers are deafening. The judges, including Kate Gerwin, Josh Davis, Mony Bunni, and Bridget Lorenc-Albert, add to the intensity. Vance Henderson returns as the host, providing commentary that keeps us on our toes.
The first rounds are intense, with competitors tasked with making four different drinks, each judged for speed and accuracy. The pressure is evident, but so is the support among competitors and spectators alike. Hand-holding and hugs are exchanged, and the crowd's enthusiasm never wanes- someone literally had bells and whistles!
Fast forward to the final round, where Liv DeHainault (Moneygun) and Katie McCort (Cira) go head-to-head. Both are laser-focused, and I'm right there in the action, ensuring everything runs smoothly, like making sure the portable bar does slide and the bottles don’t fall and roll away. The competition is neck and neck, but ultimately, Katie McCort emerges victorious, earning cheers from the crowd.
Witnessing Katie's triumph is awe-inspiring. The stage is filled with emotion, runaway ice cubes, and rose petals. After celebrating her win, we couldn’t let Katie leave without the iconic shoulder lift.
It takes courage to compete on that stage, and I salute every woman who puts herself out there. What impresses me most is the unwavering support they showed each other throughout the competition—an uncommon sight in the bar competition scene. It was a memorable night for everyone involved, and as the volunteers finished breaking down and cleaning up, we all joined Katie at the afterparty to congratulate her and send positive vibes for Nationals this summer!
Again, make it a goal to to come see this event happen live, support women, and scream out “Fuck Cancer!”
For more information on Speed Rack, visit https://www.speed-rack.com/
Cheers!