After a nationwide search among the best professional and amateur mixologists, the online community selected six semi-finalists for the third annual Star of the Bar competition. The signature cocktail creators headed to Chicago to demonstrate their skills in a live competition at the 2012 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) on May 6.

Patti Frank from Roots Handmade Pizza in Chicago, Ill., is the winner of the National Restaurant Association’s third annual Star of the Bar competition, held in conjunction with the 2012 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event’s (IWSB) Restaurants Rock event.

Her Drunken Flower was selected as the winning cocktail by judges Tony Abou-Ganim “The Master Mixologist,” Dale DeGroff “King Cocktail,” and Bravo TV’s Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani. As Star of the Bar winner, Frank was awarded $5,000 cash and the coveted title.

Star of the Bar competitors submitted videos of themselves perfecting a signature cocktail recipe that prominently featured at least one product from an IWSB exhibitor. Semi-finalists were selected by visitors to the IWSB website who voted on their favorites. Six semi-finalists then competed live at the 2012 International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event at Chicago’s McCormick Place, with event attendees selecting the three finalists who competed at Restaurants Rock.

Restaurants Rock is the official NRA Show and IWSB industry evening celebration. All proceeds from Restaurants Rock benefit the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart program.

(Via: National Restaurant Association)