The Lyric Market was buzzing with energy on Sept. 25 as The Periwinkle Foundation hosted its sold-out 2025 Iron Bartender competition, drawing more than 100 supporters to Houston’s Theater District for an evening of craft cocktails, culinary creativity, and community spirit.
This year’s Iron Bartender Champion title went to Christian Guadiana of Johnny’s Gold Brick, who also received the Bar Chef Award. Drew Jerdan of Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge earned the coveted People’s Choice Award, while Leonel Galvan of Cuchara was named first runner-up. Marc Estil of Reserve 101 took home the Most Creative Cocktail Award.
The spirited competition, chaired by Sean Beck, raised more than $50,000 to benefit The Periwinkle Foundation’s mission to provide camps, arts, and survivor programs for children and teens battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses treated at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Throughout the summer, five finalists were selected by a panel of judges to vie for the Iron Bartender title. Guests at the Lyric Market enjoyed inventive cocktails featuring leading spirit sponsors including Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey, LALO Tequila, Ilegal Mezcal, and Still Austin Whiskey, alongside bites from top local chefs such as Christian Hernandez (Barbacana), Adrian Torres (Maximo), Michael Hoffman (Brasserie 19), Avril Martinez (Baso), and Dori Sushi at Lyric Market.
From June 5 through July 8, $1 from each Periwinkle-themed cocktail sold at participating venues was donated to support the foundation’s programs—furthering a “community of healing” that now serves more than 14,000 children, teens, and families each year.
For more information, visit www.ironbartender.org or www.periwinklefoundation.org