FBA Triple Challenge

FBA Triple Challenge – Working Flair Rounds
November 9th – 12th 2003
Panama City Beach, Florida USA
By Rob Husted

The FBA wanted to hold a Flair Bartending competition solely run by the FBA… and hence the FBA Triple Challenge is born.

The name TRIPLE CHALLENGE is derived from three separate events a bartender can compete in: Speed/Accuracy, Working Flair and Exhibition Flair. The Working Flair rounds are showcased below.

Featured right is the Edge Water Beach Resort where the competition is held.

Panama City really hasn’t seen much Flair Bartending before. The crowd was amazed with how far modern day bartending has come, and the few locals there during the Off Season can’t wait for Spring Break so they can try some of the new moves they learned. The FBA triple challenge turned out to be one hell of a fun comp. With plenty of Flair Bartenders, some from even as far away as Italy and Japan, it was a good start for many more FBA comps.

Ken Hall, from Bikinis inside the Rio Hotel and Casino, takes First Place honors. Along with competing at various Flair Bartending competitions, Ken is also the organizer of the “Legends of Bartending” competition, considered to be one of the biggest and most prestigious Flair Bartending competitions to date. Legends takes place next month at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.

Ken announced that this was his last competition. Let’s hope this isn’t true. Ken Hall helped build the art of Flair into what it is today and helped us break away from the old stereotypes of Flair Bartending and liquor spillage going hand in hand.

Great job Ken, and see you in March.

Second Place is Christian Delpech.

Christian is one of the most entertaining bartenders at Carnival Court at Harrahs Hotel on The Strip in Las Vegas. It was no surprise that he would do well in a Working Flair round. Christian’s smooth style and multitude of moves set him apart from the other competitors.

Congratulations on your second place win! Will it be four years in a row at Legends this year?

A new resident to Las Vegas, Nevada, Ed Hibbert grabs the third place spot. Ed recently accepted a job with Kahunaville and will soon be calling the Flair Capital of the World his home.

Ed is always a consistent name for world finals. He is a smart, fun, and more importantly, clean bartender while competing. We wonder if you were that clean at Martini Ranch in America’s Finest City (San Diego.)

Ed you are a great person and we wish you the best of luck in Las Vegas!

The Final Results are:

1st Ken Hall
2nd Christian Delpech
3rd Edward Hibbert
4th Erin Connelly
5th Rodrigo Delpech
6th Essie Numminen
7th Chris Cardone
8th James Berrier
9th Shawn Oana
10th Jamie Cosgriffe
11th Doimo Giovanni

Special thanks to all the sponsors, barbacks, judges, video team, The FBA, Jim Allison, JD Spradlin and Edge Water Beach Resort. The FBA will soon be releasing the FBA Triple Challenge on DVD.