We may be hurtling towards autumn but it’s not all doom and gloom – it’s warming up for Bacardi time!
After regional heats in Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast, Manchester and London, the eight contestants going through to this year’s UK finals have been named, let’s hear it for:
Ally Martin from Peg and Patriot and Roman Foltan from Artesian at The Langham representing London
Michael Braun from Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
Ben Davis from The Suburbs Bar, Manchester
Michael Brown from Albany Bar, Belfast
Robert Wood from The Edgbaston, Bristol
Wildcard Entry: Luca Missaglia from Quo Vadis, London
Wildcard Entry: Matt Fairhurst from City Social, London
The brief asked contestants to do what its always done in the competition’s four year history: create a cocktail that will stand the test of time; a cocktail that deserves to sit in the Bacardí Hall of Fame alongside last year’s global winner Tom Walker from The Savoy.
There was one difference though, for the first time competitors could choose from either Bacardí Gold or Bacardí Superior Rums to light up their drinks. Which made sifting through the 70 entries even tougher for the judges headed up by Bacardí UK Brand Ambassador, Shervene Shahbazkhani and Jane Ryan, editor of diffordsguide.
“We’re always really excited to see the high calibre of cocktail making and inspiration demonstrated in the regional heats and we can’t wait to see these eight finalists get on stage in front of their peers and battle it out to have their drink crowned as one of the three most promising,” said Shervene ahead of the national final which will take place at a secret location on 25th September.
“These three will then spend six months promoting their serve until the overall UK winner is announced in March. With the fantastic success the UK had last year with The Maid in Cuba by Tom Walker, from the American Bar at The Savoy, we’re eager to see which cocktail and bartender will have the honour of representing the UK at the global final in May.”
Watch this space.
