And the DOGGIE goes to ...

Thank you furry much! Meet the winners of the inaugural Parched March awards

At the Parched March 2012 wrap party, we didn't just party. We also handed out some very valuable little dogs - and one giant chihuahua.

The DOGGIE awards recognised some of our best fundraisers, bars, operators and bartenders for feats in pursuit of Parched March glory. Highlight of the night at The Bucket List, Bondi, was the award for Best in Show - AKA The Golden Chihuahua. This coveted gong is reserved for the month's most extraordinary performers.

The DOGGIES were waiting for a home...

Roll of honour:

THE GOLDEN CHIHUAHUA

The Parched March Best in Show award for outstanding overall achievement throughout the month went to the Keystone group for staging four memorable events and raising the largest total for Parched March. Keystone participating venues were: The Winery, Surry Hills; Manly Wine, Manly; Kit and Kaboodle, Kings Cross: Cargo Lounge and theloft at King Street Wharf and the dog-loving Gazebo Wine Garden in Elizabeth Bay. 

Keystone's Parched March events were the Launch Party at The Winery, Puppy Love night at Cargo Lounge, A Cause for Paws at Gazebo and The Great Debate: Cocktails V Wine at theloft. 

The award was received by Keystone co-owners John Duncan and Paul Schulte.

Paul Schulte receives the Chihuahua       Photo courtesy www.gourmantic.com

L-R: Host Mike Goldman, Emmanuel Ordillo, John Duncan, Parched March founder Amy Cooper and Paul Schulte

BEST OUTDOOR FUN

This DOGGIE went to The Alexandria Hotel, Eveleigh, for their Pets at The Pub afternoon. Punters and their pooches had filled the Alex's beer garden - the largest in Sydney - for a Sunday afternoon of entertainment from Parched March ambassadors Mike Goldman and Dr Katrina Warren, and a menu of special Parched March cocktails. 

Harry McAsey, director of The Alexandria, accepts his DOGGIE Photo: www.gourmantic.com

 SEXIEST BAR

This DOGGIE was well earned by Minsky's Piano Bar, Cremorne, for the outstanding performance of its resident Minxes - corset-clad bartenders who used their feminine wiles to sell hundreds of Parched March Scarlet Minx cocktails. The Minxes' efforts were backed up by the venue's eye-catching pink and black posters advertising the cocktail, as well as a lavish launch night to kick off March.

The Minxes in full battle gear ...                   Photo: www.gourmantic.com 


 

.. and preparing to party later

BEST DOG DAY OUT

LL Wine and Dine, Kings Cross, scored this DOGGIE for their elegant Yum Cha BYO Pooch Sunday. Just like this character-filled venue, it was all in the detail; canine party hats, dog treats in cute cartons, takeaway pooch polaroids, Dr Katrina Warren in attendance and two two-legged 'dogs' on duty outside ... a signature Parched March event from the talented Barge family. 

BEST BATTLE 

It was the only cage fight we've ever seen where Penfolds Grange was served... a war of words with an arsenal of alcohol. It was The Great Debate: Cocktails v Wine. The DOGGIE went to team captains of the sipping showdown, Keystone head sommelier Sarah Limacher and head bartender Jason Williams, for their riveting clash served with fine drinks at theloft.

Dogfight: winner Jason Williams       photo:www.gourmantic.com

BIG LOVE DOGGIE

A Parched March Big Love DOGGIE went to Guillaume Plaza at Vessel, King Street Wharf, for sustained and skilled conversion of his Parched March cocktail, the Italian Surfer. Guillaume repeatedly persuaded his venue's confirmed beer drinkers to try the Surfer - with great success. The quality of the cocktail helped his cause.

Amy Cooper and Guillaume Plaza    photo www.gourmantic.com

BIG LOVE DOGGIE

The second Big Love DOGGIE went to Name This Bar, Oxford Street for injecting a hip dose of art and fun - not to mention some $$$ - into Parched March with their Live Art Show and Auction. Four artists created works in the venue while a DJ pumped out tunes and the drinks flowed, then the art was sold to the highest bidder.

Mike Goldman hands the DOGGIE to NTB's Simon Mercier      photo: www.gourmantic.com

BEST INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISER

Parched Marchers are the dedicated bar lovers who spend March visiting our participating bars, with friends and supporters sponsoring them along the way. Our best individual Marcher was the intrepid Natalia Krak, who raised $500 solo under the banner 'Nati's Challenge.' We salute you, Nati!

Natalia: rewarded for her dogged efforts     photo: www.gourmantic.com

 BEST TEAM

The highest scoring team of Marchers was The Boozehounds, a group of tenacious bankers who used spreadsheets, algorithms and flow charts to mastermind their 30 Bars in 30 Days odyssey. Their mathematical methods gleaned a cool $1,170 and an enviable knowledge of Sydney's finest watering holes. Bravo Boozehounds!

The Sun-Herald's Shelly Horton accepts the DOGGIE on behalf of the Boozehounds         photo: www.gourmantic.com