Semiahmoo Resort hosting bartending competition on February 4

Semiahmoo Resort will be hosting a bartending competition on Tuesday, February 4 as part of Bellingham Cocktail Week.

The Cut/Off Bartending Competition, modeled after the television show “Chopped” on the Food Network, will take place in the resort’s Packers Kitchen and Bar from 4 to 7 p.m. It will feature three preliminary rounds, with each contestant crafting a cocktail out of a basket of mystery ingredients in 10 minutes or less.

Cocktails will be judged by a panel of bar industry experts as well as a popular vote from the audience. Winners of each of the three preliminary rounds will compete in the final Cut/Off championship where a winner will be crowned. The winner will receive a cash prize in addition to a donation to the charity of their choice.

Local bartenders are encouraged to enter the competition. The fee to compete is $25 and general admission for audience members costs $20. Audience members will be able to enjoy tastes of the cocktails and tokens to vote for their favorites, as well as a front row seat to witness all of the action. Information and tickets are available online at semiahmoo.com.

For Bellingham Cocktail Week, the resort will also be offering a featured cocktail, Orion’s Nightcap, for $12 from Saturday, February 1 through Sunday, February 9. The drink’s ingredients are: Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Chambord, Amaro, Orange Twist, Woodford Bourbon Cherry.

Also in February, the resort is continuing its Semiahmoo Sips series, in which people can take part in fun and interactive cocktail classes every Thursday at Packers from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at a cost of $20 per person. Each week will feature a different type of liquor, with an expert guiding you through its history, background and the best way to incorporate it into cocktails.

Each class will end with the creation of two cocktails to enjoy. The classes in February are on February 6 (Tequila featuring Coa Tequila), February 13 (Whiskey featuring Woodford Reserve), February 20 (Liqueurs featuring Salish Sea Organic Liqueurs) and February 27 (Brandy featuring Remy). Information and tickets are available online at semiahmoo.com.