Kástra Elión Vodka Announces Inaugural Chief Martini Officer Competition

Kástra Elión Vodka, the first premium vodka distilled from hand-picked Greek olives and grains, is launching a nationwide competition to find the first-ever Chief Martini Officer (CMO).  Co-founders, Mike Camello and Brandon Cohen, along with Master Distiller, Frank Mihalopoulos, invite bartenders from across the country to demonstrate their prowess and creativity to secure this coveted title for an entire year. 

To apply to the Chief Martini Officer position, aspiring candidates will submit a video of their take on a martini inspired by the Mediterranean and submit it to the Kástra Elión website by July 26. Scoring will be based on creativity, originality, cocktail name and appearance. The top 15 scores will be selected and sent a unique Kástra Elión gift bag. Of those, the judges will recreate the cocktails and pick the top five to move onto the finals. 

The five finalists will be chosen and flown on an all-expense-paid trip to San Diego for the finale at the Palihouse Hotel rooftop. They will present their cocktails in front of industry legends, Jillian Vose, who was named one of the 10 Best American Bartenders in 2017, 2018 and 2019 at the Spirited Awards at Tales of The Cocktail, Harrison Ginsberg, the Bar Director at Overstory, which was recently named No. 3 by Best 50 Bars in North America, Takuma Watanabe, owner of Martiny’s in NYC which was recently named No. 4 by Best 50 Bars in North America, and Pamela Wiznitzer, who was nominated as one of the top 10 bartenders for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 "American Bartender of the Year" award at Tales of the Cocktail, as well as the Kástra Elión Vodka co-founders.

“We’re looking for a bartender who inspires, innovates, and can push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of spirits,” says Co-Founder Mike Camello.

The winner of the competition will enjoy an array of exclusive prizes designed to celebrate and elevate their craft in partnership with Kástra Elión. They will have the opportunity to embark on an all-expense-paid trip to Greece for four days and three nights. Kástra Elión is proud to partner with Katikies Hotels for the winner to experience the country’s rich history and stunning landscapes with a three-night stay at one of their luxurious properties. They will represent Kástra Elión at major industry events, providing unique networking opportunities. Finally, the Chief Martini Officer will have the opportunity to collaborate with the founders to create their own signature martini recipe, which will be showcased as a staple product of the brand and be placed on the Happy Hour menu at the Palihouse Hotel in San Diego and the Palihouse West Hollywood Hotel.  

Co-Founder Brandon Cohen, shares his enthusiasm for the Chief Martini Officer initiative, saying, “the Chief Martini Officer role represents our commitment to celebrating the art and the timelessness of the martini. We're excited to welcome someone who shares our passion and creativity to join us on this journey."

Kástra Elión Vodka continues to challenge the industry and provide unparalleled vodka to its customers. The co-founders share a love for vodka, an entrepreneurial spirit and a healthy dose of curiosity, and are excited to embark to find the brand’s first ever Chief Martini Officer.

Please note that the Chief Martini Officer cocktail competition is not an actual job posting. 

Key dates include:

• July 9: Submissions Open
• July 26: Submissions Close
• July 29: Semi Finals
• August 28: Finals
• Winner’s Trip to Greece