Speed Rack is coming back to Cali this weekend. First they make a stop in San Francisco on February 24 and then the all-female competition heads to San Diego March 3. Sadly they won’t be making a stop in LA this year so head on down to SD (or up to SF!).

SF Contenders:

• Alica Walton – Elixir, Bloodhound, Momo’s, San Francisco
• Allison Kate Webber – Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen, San Francisco
• Ashley Curren – Rickhouse, San Francisco
• Claire Sprouse – Tradition, San Francisco
• Danielle Marchant – Monarch, San Francisco
• Jen Ackrill – Rye, San Francisco
• Jennifer Colliau – Slanted Door, San Francisco
• Julie Thompson – Rye, San Francisco
• Kate Bolton – Maven, San Francisco
• Keli Rivers – Hotsy Totsy Club, San Francisco (Albany)
• Kim Gooden – Tradition, San Francisco
• Kim Rosselle – Flora/Fauna, Oakland
• Lauren Steele – Hook & Ladder, Lowbrau, Sacramento
• Leilani Vella – Nopa, Lolinda, Absinthe, San Francisco
• Lucia Gonzales – Prizefighter, Oakland
• Megan Silsbee – Nopa, San Francisco
• Michaela Leah King – Cantina, San Francisco
• Rhachel Shaw – Tradition, Local Edition, San Francisco
• Victoria George – Rickhouse, AQ Restaurant & Bar, San Francisco
• Vita Simone Strauss – Dogwood, The New Easy, Oakland

SD Contenders:

• Amanda Gunderson – The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Los Angeles
• Brent Falco – Cole’s, Los Angeles
• Brittini Rae – Ink Restaurant, Los Angeles
• Cameron Holloway – Quality Social, San Diego
• Cari Hah – Neat and Coles, Los Angeles
• Christine England – The Pikey Cafe, Los Angeles
• Christy Spinella – Polite Provisions, San Diego
• Courtney Lee Wilson – Williams & Graham, Denver
• Devon Tarby – The Varnish, Los Angeles
• Gabrielle Dion – Broadway by Amar Santana, Laguna Beach (Orange County)
• Helen Diaz – Lolinda, San Francisco
• Jennifer Lane Oakley – Black Market Liquor Bar, Waterloo & City, Los Angeles
• Jillian Rae Webster – Harvard and Stone, Los Angeles
• Kiowa Bryan – Eveleigh, Los Angeles
• Lauren Trickett – Tantalum, Long Beach, CA
• Meghan Balser – Seven Grand, San Diego
• Melissa Durant – Green Russell / Old Major, Denver CO
• Mia Mastroianni – Soho House West Hollywood, Los Angeles
• Naomi Schimek – The Spare Room, Los Angeles
• Sarah Ellis – Jayne’s Gastropub, San Diego
• Sophie Gordon – El Dorado Cocktail Lounge, San Diego
• Terrin A McFall – Wolfgang Puck MGM, Las Vegas
• Taryn Dutton – Seven Grand, San Diego

Speed Rack is a cocktail competition with proceeds benefiting the fight against breast cancer. Each competitor makes cocktails for each of the four judges. The fastest to finish may not necessarily win the round. Judges may add points if the cocktail isn’t balanced, in the wrong glass, if it’s too warm, etc. Winners from each city will compete in the finals later this year.

SF Judges: Debbie Zachareas (Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant), Jacob Briars (Barcadi), Charlotte Voisey (William Grant & Sons) and Martin Cate (Smuggler’s Cove).

SD Judges: Erick Castro (Polite Provisions), Neyah White (Suntory Whiskey), Yael Vengroff (Miss Speed Rack 2012) and Simon Ford (The 86 Co.)

For your ticket cost — a measly $20 online, you can sample all you like from the participating sponsors:

Absolut vodka, Altos tequila, Barritt’s ginger beer, Beefeater gin, Benedictine, Brugal rum, Campari, Cherry Heering, Coffee Heering, Cointreau, Cutty Sark, Drambuie, Four Roses bourbon, Haus Alpenz, Hine cognac, Luxardo, Martini & Rossi, Perfect Puree, Perrier, Plymouth gin, St. Germain, Xante and more!

I’ll see you in San Diego!

3-7 PM, Sunday, February 24

The Chapel
777 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Get your SF tickets here

2-6 PM, Sunday, March 3

Voyeur
755 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

Get your SD tickets here

* all photos from Speed Rack Boston, October 2012

Previous Speed Rack coverage on LA Cocktails & The Minty

Speed Rack 2011-12 Finals in NYC

Speed Rack Las Vegas Recap (2012)

Speed Rack Portland Recap (2011)

Speed Rack Los Angeles Recap (2012)

© The Minty // LA Cocktails  2013