A Well-Deserved Award

Quizzo night turns into surprise party!

When Wednesday nights arrive at Barnaby’s West Chester, you can count on Tony “Dreamer” DeRemer and Valentina “Val” Stabilo serving you $3 specialty drinks and $5 chicken wings with DJ Nick Vecchio jammin’ it up in the background. But yesterday, this past Wednesday night, was special.

Valentina won the sought-after Bartender of the Year title this past Sunday at the 2018 WC Bartenders Ball at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center. Tony, who is jokingly “married” to her during their Wednesday shifts together knew he wanted to do something special for her.

“She always does so much for people,” Tony said. “I really wanted to congratulate her and show how much we love her!”

We each gathered around the bar intermittently, waiting.

10pm, 10:15pm, 10:30pm…

“Name the person who won Bartender of the Year this year!” Nick told the customers for his last question in Round One of Quizzo.

When the round ended around 11pm, the music turned off and Tony took the mic and bartenders from neighboring restaurants gathered around him.

“Valentina won Bartender of the Year on Sunday!” Tony said, “and we wanted to show our appreciation towards her!” He then presented her with a framed picture with the words “Bartender of the Year” in a 1920s newspaper font, and a red banner with the picture and those same words.

“We also are providing everyone with free cookie dough shots from Baked, and cake!” Tony continued amidst cheers and staff setting desserts and balloons at the bar.

Valentina was completely surprised.

“Did you all know?!” she inquired. “This is so sweet!”

Bartender of the Year is just one of the titles awarded during the annual Bartenders Ball hosted by the WC Press, but it is a very prestigious awarded only given to those most deserving.

And we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Valentina Stabilo.

Check out Barnaby’s every Wednesday night for their drink and wing specials, and Quizzo with DJ Nick!