THE GRA’IT CHALLENGE 2016-2017
Recipe submission: rules and guidelines
THE GRA’IT CHALLENGE 2016-2017
RULES & GUIDELINES
THE GRA’IT CODE
CALENDAR AND KEY DATES
RULES AND GUIDELINES (1/3)
1. Once the submission portal has been opened, competitors can register and submit their recipes up until the closing of the
submission deadline in their respective region.
2. Recipes are limited to a maximum of seven (7) ingredients, not including the garnish (unless it is edible and changes the flavor
of the drink, in which case it will count). In the event competitors are unsure, they should get verification from the judging panel
prior to submitting. Gra’it grappa must be the base ingredient (at least 1 full ounce)
3. Homemade ingredients will be allowed but all recipes must be provided for each ingredient. Each homemade ingredient will
count as one regardless of how many items are included in that ingredient.
4. All recipes must be submitted in oz (ounces), drops, dashes, number etc. for all items in the recipe.
5. Any recipe that does not comply with the guidelines and rules will be automatically disqualified.
6. Judges decision will be final.
7. The deadline for each region will be midnight on the following dates:
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Miami: November 20th 2016
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New York: January 22nd 2017
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Los Angeles: February 26th 2017
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Austin: March 26th 2017
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Chicago: May 26th 2017
RULES AND GUIDELINES (2/3)
8. In each region, once the submission has closed all entries will be judged by the same selection panel (judges) and the 10
drinks (plus 2 alternates) will be selected based on the Gra’it Challenge Criteria. All drinks will be scored out of a possible
100 points. Those points will be broken down in 5 key areas as follows:
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Taste: 40 points
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Alchemy***: 30 points
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Presentation: 20 points
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Name: 5 points
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WOW Factor: 5 points
*** Please make sure you read and get acquainted with THE GRA’IT CODE. The points related to the ALCHEMY criteria will be
awarded based on your ability to factor in THE GRA’IT CODE into your recipe, cocktail name and story.
RULES AND GUIDELINES (3/3)
9. All competitors and alternates will be notified within 10 days of the closing of the regional portal.
10. Once selected to compete in the live regional challenge, competitors will be asked to make 4 full sized drinks for the
judging panel (including one for the photoshoot).
11. The top 3 from each live regional challenge will be selected to appear in the live national final in Miami June 21st 2017.
All competitors will be flown into Miami and provided with accommodation for 2 days.
12. At the conclusion of the final, 7 winners will be selected to fly to Italy for a 10-day trip at the discovery of the Italian
Alchemy through the GRA’IT ACCADEMIA
THE GRA’IT CHALLENGE 2016-2017
KEY RULES & GUIDELINES
THE GRA’IT CODE
CALENDAR AND KEY DATES
THE GRA’IT CODE
As a professional bartender aspiring to take part and win the GRA’IT CHALLENGE 2016/17, you should carefully
read this CODE and use as a source of inspiration to build the recipe, name and story of your drink! Good luck!
ANCIENT ALCHEMY
ALCHEMY: IMPROVE MATERIAL SUBSTANCES IN ORDER TO ELEVATE YOUR SPIRIT
The word Alchemy comes from the Arab word al-kīmiyya o al-khīmiyya that means “chemistry” and
appears to be connected to the Greek “khymeia”, ‘to melt’ or ‘blend together’.
However, Alchemy isn’t just the mother of chemistry, but a philosophical/esoteric tradition, that
developed over more than 2000 years, (especially in Greece, Rome, India and Egypt) with a strong
influence in the fields of medicine, astrology, art and metallurgy.
This philosophical tradition aimed at purifying, maturing and perfecting certain objects and
substances to try and discover a potion or elixir of long life. Alchemists strongly believed that
despite the results, the process would lead to the perfection of the human body and soul.
THE GRA’IT ALCHEMY
GRA’IT REPRESENTS AUTHENTIC ITALIAN ALCHEMY FOR 2 REASONS:
The transformation of grape pomace, full of aromas and phytonutrients, in precious raw material
for the production of a fine spirit is an Alchemical practice; like with every respectable Alchemical
tradition, Gra’it is a “Great Work” born through the application of an alchemical art, distillation,
that aims at achieving perfection: one that can only be strived but never reached
Gra’it is a perfect example of traditional Italian Alchemy: a happy way of life that finds brilliant and
creative solutions by blending different elements together in order to seize the day and enjoy life.
Gra’it takes traditional grappa one step forward by becoming an incredibly versatile product for all
moments of pleasure
THE GRA’IT CODE (1/3)
THE KEY: EXCELLENCE
KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO EXCELLENCE…
Alchemy is the four-millennia-old, magical tradition of transmuting a base substance into gold
through three steps: fermentation, distillation and sublimation. The same used to achieve the
Alchemical ‘Great work’.
Like every alchemist, the Bonollo family has developed their very own distillation process: the
S.U.B. (Sistema Unico Bonollo) by uniting 170 years of tradition and experience to state of the art
technology.
Gra’it was born from a skillful combination of the same raw material, grape pomace. Gra’it has
accurately chosen the 7 best varieties of grape pomace to produce the 7 best grappe that are
ultimately united into one perfect blend.
The KEY, used in Alchemy to symbolize the spirit, or necessary knowledge, to create the ‘Great
work’, stands for Gra’it’s EXCELLENCE.
THE GRA’IT CODE (2/3)
THE ROSE: PLEASURE
…AND EXCELLENCE LEADS TO PLEASURE – ITALIANS, ALCHEMISTS OF LIFE
This alchemical process has to do with every aspect of life: anyone can become an alchemist of
life.
An Alchemy of life is built over time: every generation somehow improves an aspect of life and
if the next generation welcomes this innovation then the innovation itself becomes a
‘tradition’. Progressively, traditions blend together and become a ‘way of life’.
Thanks to many alchemists of life, generation after generation, Italians have developed a
unique ‘way of life’ that is able to appreciate the simple things and enjoy life the fullest.
In Alchemy, the ROSE symbolizes the soul, PLEASURE, and what connects us to life.
THE GRA’IT CODE (3/3)
THE WINGED LION: COURAGE
THE COURAGE TO INNOVATE TRADITION
Innovating the millennial grappa tradition requires courage.
In Alchemy, the lion represents the COURAGE necessary for the ‘Great work’. The
WINGED LION of Venice represents Gra’it’s homeland, the Veneto region, and Gra’it’s
strength in innovating the grappa tradition.
Traditions, are nothing more than successful innovations consolidated over time. This is
why the maxim that surrounds the winged lion “Spiritus Familiae Virtus” (the courage lies
within the family spirit), refers to the origin of such courage: the innovative soul
embedded in the Bonollo family.
THE GRA’IT CHALLENGE 2016-2017
KEY RULES & GUIDELINES
THE CODE OF THE GRA’IT ALCHEMY
CALENDAR AND KEY DATES
THE GRA’IT CHALLENGE 2016/2017
KEY DATES
Nov ‘16
Dec ‘16
Jan ‘17
w/c 7 w/c 14 w/c 21 w/c 28 w/c 5 w/c 12 w/c 19 w/c 26
Nov 2nd
Nov 20th
Nov 29th
Feb ‘17
w/c 2 w/c 9 w/c 16 w/c 23 w/c 30
Mar ‘17
Apr ‘17
w/c 6 w/c 13 w/c 20 w/c 27 w/c 6 w/c 13 w/c 20 w/c 27 w/c 3 w/c 10 w/c 17 w/c 24
May ‘17
Jun ‘17
w/c 1 w/c 8 w/c 15 w/c 22 w/c 29
w/c 5 w/c 12 w/c 19 w/c 26
Dec 12th
Miami (FL)
Jan. 22nd Jan 31st Feb 6th
Jan 4th
New York (NY)
USBG info session
Deadline for recipe submission
Selection of recipes for live challenge
LIVE CHALLENGE
Jan 30th
Feb. 26th Mar 6st Mar 13th
Los Angeles (CA)
Mar 1st
Mar. 26th
Apr 4th
Apr 18th
Austin (TX)
May. 26th
5 regional live challenges
10 (+2 alternates) selected recipes for each regional challenge
May 16th
May 30th Jun 5th
Chicago (IL)
3 finalists for each regional challenge (15 finalists in total)
1 final challenge in Miami
7 winners (prized with a 10-day trip to Italy)
Final
Miami:
Jun 21st
DON’T MISS THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL TO
ITALY FOR 10 DAYS
Subscribe on www.grait.it/challenge