The Ultimate Mixer - Martini's 2016

A good time was had by all, as the Healing House: Hope for Grieving Children recently hosted their extremely popular ABSOLUT® Best Martini Competition and Gala. The annual fundraising event pits local restaurants against each other as they battle it out for the coveted title of “Lafayette’s ABSOLUT® Best Martini”.

This year’s participating restaurants included Bon Temps Grill, Bonefish Grill, Charley G’s, Chuy’s Fine Tex Mex, Ruffino’s on the River, Southern Social Table & Bar, Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar, and Zea Rotisserie & Grill.

Over an eight-week period, the “Tini” Tuesday Tour visited each of the eight participating restaurants where patrons and Healing House supporters could savor this year’s signature martinis and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award by way of tips and contributions.

At the end of the eight week tour, Healing House supporters and competing restaurants gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette for the grand finale. Partygoers sampled martinis from all eight restaurants and cast their final votes for the Lafayette’s ABSOLUT® Best Martini – 2016, as they danced the night away to the gyrating sounds of Jet Seven.

The People’s Choice Awards were determined by totaling the tipped votes received during the tour along with money collected by voting at the gala. All eight teams did incredibly well with their unique Martini creations and the amount of money raised; and at the end of the night, the People’s Choice Awards went to:

1St Place: Zea [Creation: Purple Rain Martini with ABSOLUT Vodka]

2nd Place: Chuy’s [Creation: New Mexican Raspberry Martini with ABSOLUT Raspberry]

3rd Place: Bon Temps Grill [Creation: Tiki Tini Martini with ABSOLUT Vodka]

With the Spirit Award also going to Zea!

The Judges’ Choice Awards were selected by a panel of highly specialized local celebrities in a blind taste testing session that lasted for hours.

And with the judges votes tallied, the winners of the Judges Choice Awards for Lafayette’s ABSOLUT Martini 2016 are,

1st Place: Ruffino’s on the River [Creation: Up ‘n’ Nerdy Martini with ABSOLUT Pear]

2nd Place: Bonefish Grill [Creation: Fresh Raspberry Martini with ABSOLUT Vodka]

3rd Place: Zea [Creation: Purple Rain Martini with ABSOLUT Vodka]

All proceeds from the event benefited The Healing House, a local non-profit organization that provides grief support for children dealing with the loss of a loved one. If you are interested in learning about the services offered by the Healing House or how you can volunteer or support this wonderful organization, visit healing-house.org/  or call 337.234.0443.