1. Tell us about yourself.
| I live in Lewes Beach and have been a school teacher for six years. I’ve been bartending for nine years and currently work at The Lighthouse in Dewey on Fridays and Saturdays. |
2. What was your reaction to being named this year’s best bartender?
| I didn’t know what kind of support I would get going up to Newark, since I’m from the beach, so I was a little worried. I had a bunch of friends from the beach come up, and all kinds of people that visit me at The Lighthouse in the summer showed up, too. My tip jar was overflowing in just 20 minutes. My reaction was, “Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii!” (Editor’s Note: The prize for winning the Best Bartender finals was a trip to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.) I went to Maui two years ago and just fell in love with the place. I’ve always said I wanted to go back. |
3. Your winning pour involved filling up beer glasses for a remote-controlled football. Where did you come up with the idea?
| The Lighthouse during football season is the best place to be if you love the sport. We were sitting around one night, closing up and talking. I knew my pour had to revolve around football and Bud Light. The idea of a thirsty football was inevitable. One that would move by itself was even better. |
4. What are you doing when you’re not bartending?
| Although my two jobs keep me busy, I live by the idea of “work hard, play harder.” I’m on an adult field hockey league; I spend a lot of time in the mountains snowboarding in the winter. And, of course, I hang out on the beach with friends when it’s nice. |
5. So, who usually tips better: men or women?
| Man, woman, blonde, brunette, tall, short—it doesn’t matter. It’s whoever enjoys my company the most that tips the best. |