At the judge’s table during the inaugural Mardi Gras Capital Cocktail Competition at Black Jack Tuesday, "which one are you most willing to finish?" was overheard quite a few times. That's because there were some odd drinks being crafted by some of the best barkeeps in the city, as teams of two were given a secret ingredient. The cocktails were then auctioned off. We snapped Gypsy Soul duo Bryan Tetorakis and Jo-Jo Valenzuela, who battled Founding Farmers using wasabi peas. While Gypsy Soul advanced to the next round, the team from Mike Isabella Concepts eventually won.

Proceeds from the auctioned cocktails, ticket sales and door donations benefited DC Central Kitchen via Black’s Family Foundation. It was Jeff Black himself who forked over the most cash for a drink. We snapped him with his $250 tipple. Jeff is behind Black Restaurant Group, whose restaurants include Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Black Jack, Blacksalt Restaurant, Republic and more. In celebration of Mardi Gras, Pearl Dive Chef Colleen Conrad (who we introduced you to) served BBQ pulled pork sandwiches on Addie's rolls with crawfish hushpuppies.