Novi bartender finalist for Michigan’s best mixologist in state

Every Cinco de Mayo for the past few years, when Novi’s Border Cantina (21420 Novi Road) is buzzing with activity, the restaurant’s No. 1 bartender is at her best.

“I  thrive in chaos,” admitted Malena Skorpen, the restaurant’s bartender manager.

Considering the recent honor that was bestowed on Skorpen, she thrives all the time when she’s mixing, serving drinks and conversing with customers from behind the business’s bar.

Skorpen was recently named one of five finalists for the Michigan Restaurants and Lodging Association’s Bartender Star of the Year award, which is presented annually to an outstanding bartender “who has shown exceptional talent, creativity and skill in the art of mixology”, the MRLA’s website explains.

Finalist among thousands of Michigan bartenders

Given there are tens of thousands of bartenders throughout Michigan, Skorpen’s selection as a top-five finalist is a testament to her ability to converse with customers while mixing top-shelf drinks.

“I was definitely surprised when I got the e-mail notifying me of this honor,” said Skorpen, a resident of Commerce Township and a 2016 graduate of Walled Lake Northern High School.

“I absolutely love where I work, which makes it easy to excel at what I do. A lot of our customers are like family to us, and my boss (Bob Jancevski) is the best.”

After graduating from WLN, Skorpen attended Siena Heights University for two years before realizing “that wasn’t the path I wanted to take.”

She enrolled in the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan’s 12-week course (six weeks online, six weeks in-person), where she learned how to mix everything from classic drinks like martinis and Manhattans to more exotic modern-day drinks that allow her to put her own signature on the beverages she creates.

Job has impacted her life in multiple ways

If she wins the distinguished award, it will be the second-best thing that has happened to Skorpen since she started tending bar at Border Cantina.

“I met my husband, Craig, tending bar,” she said, smiling. “So, this job has brought me so much joy and impacted my life in such a positive way.”

A self-proclaimed people person, Skorpen said she loves meeting new people and strengthening bonds with long-time customers/friends.

She has also evolved into an expert mixologist thanks to her off-the-charts dedication to her craft.

Like baking and math

“Mixing drinks is a lot like baking and math because the measuring of the ingredients is so important,” she said. “There is some precision involved. For me, it’s the repetition that has made me the bartender I am today.

“One of the many advantages of working at Border Cantina is that we close at 9 p.m., which allows me to get home at a reasonable hour to spend time with my family.”

Skorpen, the lone finalist from southeast Michigan, could use your help in putting her over the top in the state-wise Star Bartender competition.

The ultimate winner is chosen by a voting process. To cast your vote for Skorpen, click here. The deadline for voting is March 21.

Honored by nomination

Skorpen said she’s not sure what the prize is — or if there is a prize — for the person who wins the competition.

The winner will be recognized at the annual Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner on April 16, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

Regardless of whether she wins or not, Skorpen said she is simply honored to be a finalist.

Cheers to Skorpen for an amazing accomplishment.

If she wins, you can rest assured there will be some happy chaos at Border Cantina the next day — which will put her smack dab in her comfort zone.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.