CLICK

WHEN
2:30PM
7.31.16

WHERE
Everts Park, Highwood

PHOTOGRAPHER
Lee Litas
 

        As the longest-standing judge of Highwood’s Bloody Mary Fest (and an accomplished food and dining columnist herself), Lee Litas knows a thing or two about the aforementioned cocktail. So, when it came to judging this year’s competition – which featured nearly one dozen local contestants – she was ready.
     “While every year the chefs get more and more creative with the presentation and garnishes, at the end of the day, it’s about the taste of the Bloody Mary,” she says.
     “The overall feeling that you leave with says more about the quality than anything else.” No surprise that the flight pictured here, executed by Highwood’s very own Barrel Crossing, tied for best garnish. The unique presentation lent it a certain visual resonance; one that made for an interesting shot – even on her iPhone 6.
     “The most important thing was to get a nice angle; one that would distill any visual confusion with the background,” she says.
     “Second to that was movement. When you have a shot that has movement in it, people instinctually have a feeling that they can grab it; that they can reach it. I wanted them to viscerally feel that the Bloody Mary was right in front of them.”
     We can almost taste it. – Lilly Sperry for NS Modern Luxury Magazine