Celebrated DC mixologist Gina Chersevani pivoted to test her cooking skills and turned her attention to the culinary competition series on the Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games. On the episode “Fruit Fest” – Chersevani shook up the stage with her dishes so she could, to her surprise, take home the bacon as – THE WINNER! As the highest scoring participant, Gina was declared the episode’s champion and brought back as a thank you to her dedicated team to share amongst themselves- close to $20,000 of prize money. Inspired by her time on the show, Gina will blend her culinary and cocktail expertise with the introduction of a special savory cocktail series, playfully named the “Rising Peacock.”
Having recently aired, Guy Fieri challenged Gina and three other contestants to make a fruit-forward feast. As Chersevani reflects on the experience, she shares, “I entered this competition without any expectations. But, I know food and I know flavor. The whole experience was one awesome blur – I can’t believe I won. My only hope was to do my best and make the team proud.”
Gina’s new limited savory cocktail series, “Rising Peacock,” at Buffalo & Bergen [Capitol Hill] is set to debut in early 2022 and will showcase drinks that share the ultimate, unexpected creative combinations. Prepare to indulge in a fun drink challenge with cocktails like the The Conscience featuring VSOP Brandy, Lemon, Dehydrated Meatball, Brown Sugar, and Bacon-Cured Crickets. Another soon to be favorite is the Molly Malone – a compelling combination of Gin infused with Thyme, Vermouth, Cockles, Capers, and salted Cockles-infused Olive Oil.
Chersevani is showing her culinary prowess after 20+ years spent behind the scenes in some of the city’s top restaurants and later creating dishes and designing menus for her beloved soda counter and all-day deli – Buffalo & Bergen [Union Market & Capitol Hill,] along with the Last Call Bar, and Suburbia – a vintage airstream trailer and cocktail haven parked by Union Market.
