In The Mix

t was a first for the "Man." Never have we been a judge in a bartenders' best drink contest. So initially, I felt like "a calf staring at a new gate" but with the help of my running buddy, Will Knous, Managing Editor of BSCENE, we were up-to-speed in no time. There were seven judges, but Will strategically located us at the end of the table with four beautiful and brilliant young professional ladies. All seven of us were dubbed "celebrity judges." It was a hoot.

The occasion of the event was a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. It was the brain child of Chris and Jennifer Dixon, owners of Tricky Dix Mojo. The plan was for the local bartenders to make up a new drink for their bar using Tricky Dix mix in the recipe. The 10 drinks were to be judged on uniqueness of: 1) name of the drink, 2) presentation of the product and 3) Flavor.

Now, our task, as celebrity judges, was to drink each of the 10 drinks, respectively, and determine as a group the first, second and third place winners. In view of the expertise of these bartenders, it was a daunting, but delightful assignment. The judges were Chris Baker, East Texas Automation; Jessica Wilson, NBC 56; Michele Reese, CBS19; Christine Gardner, The Tyler Paper, Myste Snow, FRESH by Brookshire's; Will Knous, BSCENE; and the "Man." The group quickly meshed and the party began: “laissez les bon temps rouler,” as our Cajun friends would say.

We all gathered at the Sports Zone in downtown Tyler. It was a perfect location and they were the perfect hosts. There is plenty of room, seven TVs around the walls, excellent food and drinks with a neighborhood bar feel. By 8 p.m. the place was rocking! About 200 folks having a stupendous time and Chris Dixon, organizer and MC, kept the show on schedule and full of fun.

But what is their Tricky Dix mix? Well its a mixture of 19 herbs and spices concocted by former bartenders at Superior Steakhouse in Shreveport, Chris and Jennifer Dixon. It seemed that the Superior bar had a drink called a "Michelada" (like a red beer), with sea salt around the rim. Chris thought he could do better, so he rummaged through their spice cabinet at home and came up with a mixture of 17 spices, to which Jennifer added two more. Zap there it was!! They took it back Superior's and the bar used it on all the drinks one Saturday night. That was four years ago and the rest is history. The mix has caught on so well that its been used in bars, specialty shops like the The Sweet Gourmet, restaurants as a rub for meats and as a sprinkle on vegetables. Tricky Dix has been touted in the restaurant wholesale show, the Taste of Dallas and the FRESH by Brookshire's Steak Cookoff in Tyler. Internet sales have also shot through the roof (www.trickydixmojo.com).

Meanwhile, back at the party, the winners of the contest were: first place, Justin Todd of Yamato with his Tricky Dix Coffee Fix; Second place, Johnny Bee's Fat Catz; and third place, Brandy Barabs, The Ranch with "TNT" Tricky N Tequila. The prize sponsors were Yamato (First), Daniel Boone's (Second) and The Ranch (Third).

The event raised nearly $2,000 for the Special Olympics, which included auctioning off a $200 guitar. It's amazing how much fun can be had when creative people throw a great party for a good cause indeed, the “gift of giving back” is not only good for the spirit, but for the fun of it too!

We'll be watching the Tricky Dix Mojo team as they grow, with new mixes coming out this summer, and spreading the wealth with charities throughout Tyler, East Texas and beyond.

The party started winding down about 10:30 p.m., but some of the “hangers on” lingered until closing time. A great time was had by all, which is what the Man About Town is all about.