Hip Sip: Battle of the Modern Bartender + Rapid Fire Challenge To Take Place At IRFSNY 2023

  • Day & Nite
  • Red Gold Sacramento
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • RATIONAL USA
  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • Texas Pete
  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • RAK Porcelain
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • Imperial Dade
  • Atosa USA
  • McKee Foodservice
Follow TFS on Google News


Calling All Bartenders and Chefs:
Now Accepting Entries for Two Competitions


hip sip competition battle cocktail bartender

The 2023 International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York will host two exciting competitions during the upcoming trade show taking place March 5-7 at the Javits Center in New York City.

On Sunday, March 5 the Hip Sip: Battle of the Modern Bartender Competition will take place and the Rapid-Fire Challenge will take place on Monday, March 6. Winners of both competitions will receive cash prizes and bragging rights.

“The Rapid-Fire Challenge and Hip Sip Competitions have become must see events during the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York and we invite local chefs and bartenders to compete and be recognized for their creative cocktails and meals. We look forward to welcoming our emcee and professional judges who will help us crown the winners,” said Rita Ugianskis, Vice President for the Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group. “Our partners Savage & Cooke Distillery for the Hip Sip Competition and Total Food Service for the Rapid-Fire Competition are looking for the best whiskey cocktails and the most creative spin on a meatless meal for these two exciting competitions.”

Hip Sip: Battle of the Modern Bartender Competition comes to life at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York.  This year’s competition is sponsored by Savage & Cooke Distillery with the bartenders using Lip Service Rye Whiskey. Chosen finalists will battle in this fun and exciting competition on Center Stage for the chance to win bragging rights, a commemorative glass plaque, and a FREE trip to the Savage & Cooke Distillery. This trip will include airfare, 2-night accommodation in Napa, a tour of the distillery, and a meet & greet with the master distiller.  Entries are now being accepted at this link.  The competition will take place on Sunday, March 6, 2023, from 3:00-5:00pm pm.  The Hip Sip Competition Judges are Mia Mastroianni, Consultant as seen on Bar Rescue; Art Sutley, Savage & Cooke Distillery; and Phil Wills, Consultant as seen on Bar Rescue, The Spirits in Motion. For more information about the Hip Sip Battle and guidelines, click here.

This year’s Rapid Fire Challenge theme is Meatless Monday Single Skillet. Chefs are invited to bring their favorite dishes minus the meat that are made in one pan to showcase the benefits including controlling the cooking process, the speed in cooking, and the savings on current labor shortage. Chefs are encouraged to bring plant-based items or veggies, get creative and be ready for their shining moment. The winner will be crowned the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York Rapid Fire Champion, receive $1,000, bragging rights and gain exposure. The final three competitors will be announced prior to the event, and they must be available to compete in New York on Monday, March 6 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  The judges for the Rapid-Fire Challenge are Chef Maria Loi; Stratis Morfogen, Executive Managing Director of Brooklyn Chop House and Cherry Dumaual, Meatless Mondays. For more information on the Rapid-Fire Challenge, click here.

  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • RATIONAL USA
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • Red Gold Sacramento
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • Day & Nite
  • Texas Pete
  • RAK Porcelain
  • McKee Foodservice
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • Atosa USA
  • Imperial Dade

Both competitions will be presented on Center Stage on the show floor which will also feature Culinary Demonstrations and other panel discussions. The exhibit hall will offer Coffee Fest and new products and innovations from hundreds of exhibiting companies.  The International Restaurant & Foodservice of New York (IRFSNY) is the East Coast’s premier industry event drawing significant attendance from restaurant and foodservice operations.

Attendee registration is now open.  If registering multiple people from the same organization, see the option to add additional team members at the completion of the first registrant.  Register six or more team members at the same time and automatically receive a 30% discount off on each.

The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is owned by Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group and sponsored by The New York State Restaurant Association (www.nysra.org).  The Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group also includes, Coffee Fest, The NGA Show, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show and the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo.  


Clarion Events operates over 180 events in 50 countries from 15 offices in the UK, the US, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, UAE, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. Clarion can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organizers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries including energy, security and defense, hospitality, electronics, technology, fashion, retail, gaming and marketing. The teams at Clarion create uniquely effective and stimulating environments that can serve as a platform to build businesses, enhance customer relationships, and accelerate product awareness.

  • RAK Porcelain
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • McKee Foodservice
  • Imperial Dade
  • Texas Pete
  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • Red Gold Sacramento
  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • RATIONAL USA
  • Atosa USA
  • Day & Nite