You’re out enjoying an evening at UnderTow Gilbert, not realizing that your expertly made cocktail was crafted with lightning speed by bar manager Krissy Shelberg. On July 19, she’ll be representing Arizona in New Orleans as one of the competitors in the Speed Rack National Finals. The annual competition, established in 2011, is an all-femme bartending challenge. Competitors are tested on their speed, precision and technical skills by a panel of industry judges before announcing a winner. Speed Rack is also known for its charitable support, and the competition has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer research throughout the years.  

We sat down with Shelberg to discuss cocktail competitions, women in mixology and more. 

What led you to compete in Speed Rack? 

I have been doing cocktail competitions for a couple of years now. Speed Rack is one that stood out to me the most because it’s female-based, and all the proceeds go to breast cancer research. I heard about it a couple of years ago, but never knew how to enter the competition. Last year, a friend of mine submitted a Wildcard video (the competition’s application process), and I jumped on the opportunity as quickly as I could. I was chosen through Wildcard and went straight to nationals. Being around all of the feminine energy and all of the empowered women made me want to be a part of the competition in any way possible. Once I heard they were coming to Phoenix, I was the first girl to sign up. Even though I was aiming to win, it was not expected or promised. It was truly amazing to see the Arizona women show up and be introduced to the great community that Speed Rack offers. 

What does it take to compete in Speed Rack? 

It really goes far beyond just being fast behind the bar. It takes preparation, focus and a true understanding of your craft. You have to be technically strong and be able to execute with precision and consistency in a high-energy environment. You also have to be confident, because you’re being challenged on speed, accuracy and composure all at the same time. Most importantly, it takes passion and resilience, because every round pushes you to perform at your absolute best. 

What has your preparation looked like? 

I have been preparing with flash cards and practicing behind the bar. I pour water into bottles that we will be using in the competition, and I practice my counts and pours. The judges will choose four drinks at a time out of the 80-plus cocktails they give us, so I randomly choose four flash cards and work on those rounds.  

How do you feel about representing Arizona on a national stage? 

It feels incredibly rewarding and extremely humbling to represent Arizona in a national competition such as Speed Rack. Arizona has such a strong and growing hospitality and cocktail community. Being able to carry that spirit of excellence and encouragement from home on a national stage is something I am very proud of. It’s exciting to showcase not only my own skills and passion, but also the hard work, creativity and talent our local industry represents. More than anything, it is truly an honor to stand up for my community, and all of the people who have supported me along the way.  

Tell us about how Speed Rack celebrates women in bartending. 

Speed Rack plays a very important role in promoting women in bartending because it creates a platform where women have the opportunity to be seen, celebrated and supported. It showcases the speed, knowledge, skill and creativity that women bring behind the bar. Beyond the competition, I think what makes it so impactful is the community it creates. It not only connects but also uplifts women in the industry. It opens the door for mentorship and connection, and inspires the next generation of women entering hospitality. It is so empowering to be a part of something that not only recognizes talent, but also emphasizes women’s voices in this field.