All-Female Bartending Competition Shakes Up Vancouver

Straight-up girl power fuels this boozy event.

In an industry long dominated by men with gelled hair and a towel slung over one shoulder, nine talented female bartenders are about to mix things up. The Speed Rack All-Female Bartending Competition is rolling into the Granville Room this Sunday (February 25), and it’s sure to be a brutal battle of beverages as local mixologists compete for two spots in the national finals in Toronto, their ultimate goal being to earn the title of Miss Speed Rack Canada. The best part? One hundred percent of the event’s proceeds go to charity.Founded by Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix in 2011, the event has two prime goals: (1) to raise money for breast cancer research, and (2) to provide up-and-coming female bartenders a chance to show off their skills. For seven years, female bartenders have measured, poured and muddled their way through timed challenges judged by industry experts (each of their assigned concoctions will be evaluated for balance, taste, presentation and garnish). So far, Speed Rack has raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer prevention, education and research—and the event’s organizers and competitors are determined to continue celebrating female bartenders and to kick cancer’s butt, one shot at a time. This season, the money earned from ticket sales benefits Rethink Breast Cancer, a charity that focuses on empowering young people who are affected by breast cancer. The charity is the first of its kind to bring a bold, modern twist to traditional means of fundraising and advocacy (“no pink ribbons required”).This year’s competitors include Olivia Povarchook from Vij’s, Katie Ingram from L’Abattoir, and Bonnie Stewart, who will be competing on home turf at the Granville Room. This high-energy, high reward event is one you won’t want to miss—get ready for fierce fundraising like you’ve never seen it before.

(Photo: Speed Rack.)