Cocktail Competitions - RESULT
The UKBG/Sputnik National Cocktail Competition Final
The winner of this prestigious event was consultant Andy Pearson of the consultancy firm Intoxicology. He was indeed the hot favorite to win after his performance at the Brighton heat. He took the £5000 prize with his cocktail called Spirit of ‘57.
In second place, winning £2000, was Orlando Santini and in third place, winning £1000, was Manual Soro. Last but certainly not least , was Bruce Hamilton of Tiger Lily in Edinburgh.
(left) The Trophies (right) Winner Andy Pearson
(left) CEO of Russian Vodka House, Peter Shevchuk (right) I'm in Heaven
On a night when London’s Underground staff decided carry out their strike, bartenders and supporters made their way to High Street Kensington for the final. The discreet sign hanging high above your head was the only clue to the bar Amika’s location. Descending through black doors, guests discovered a labrynth of divinely decorated bar rooms, mainly black. The surprise was the all-white bar room, with its mirror-backed serving bar, where the judgements on each cocktail were made. In another larger bar area the contestants were preparing for this, the final competition which could net them the first prize, and an opportunity to represent the United Kingdom at the International Bartenders’ Association World Cocktail Competition to be held in Taiwan later this year. At one low table, Steve McDermott was carving out a complicated design on a piece of orange peel, at another a newcomer to the UKBG was polishing glassware. Smart steel cases of tools were open, ready for work. A quiet zone right now as they prepared mentally for the competition, but it was also a friendly environment, as Alex Kratena of Artesian at the Langham, remarked.
“This is my first big competition and so far it has been a great experience. It’s amazing, there are 26 bartenders from all over the UK here and even though they are in competition with each other, they’re all supportive, and friendly. That’s what is nice about it.”
As another said, “The pressure is always inside you. I can’t wait for the final verdict!”
Meanwhile, the first set of judges — Simon Davies, sales director of Russian Vodka House, Tom Innes, editor of Theme, me, and Regis LeMaitre from the UKBG Scottish area — were preparing for the 12 cocktails we were to judge.
The criteria for the required pre-dinner cocktail were that it had to be not too sweet, a hint of bitterness (a balance of the two is perfection) and have a distinct aroma at first sniff. Also, it ought to stimulate the palate, please the eye with its appearance (that all-important garnish!) and taste delicious.
(left) The judges table (right) Detail of garnish
(left) Alex concentrating (right) Lenny of Sputnik with daughter Alisa
The first drinks arrived, delivered by the Sputnik hostesses (elegant in their pencil slim skirts, neat little jackets and fur-trimmed hats), and the judging began. Suffice to say that by the end of the session, we were all well aware of what made a great cocktail! We’d seen garnishes ranging from long lemon grass stalks, rose petals, edible flowers, vanilla pods, wheels of kiwi fruit, twirls of peel and basil leaves. We’d sipped both delicately and brightly coloured concoctions, then made our notes individually. Andrea Rinaldi collected our score sheets and we were off to watch the remaining bartenders.
The second set of judges included Peter Shevchuk, CEO and Chairman of Russian Vodka House, George Calisto of Maddox Club & Restaurant, Dez O’Connell, bar manager of Roast, and Luca Cordiglieri of the UKBG London area.
(left) Brian Page, Peter Dorelli, and Daniel Crebesse (right) What has he done now?
(left) Alex Kratena polishing glasses (right) Getting down to it
By this time, the supporters were well primed with more than a few cocktails and beers. Greg the DJ pumped up the volume with his thumping music, while M. C. Scott Gemmell worked the crowd into a (kind of) frenzy beneath a ceiling dominated by three stunning chandeliers. Working in a small space, each bartender had his Sputnik vodka base, and the other liquid ingredients lined up alongside the tools. The four glasses were filled with ice to chill them before pouring in the final drink. Two technical judges watched every movement, giving each competitor points.
Peter Allison, a kilt-wearing Scottish supporter, looked cool in a distressed denim kilt with a soft-as-soft leather pocket and a silver kilt pin, all of which was hand-made by 20th Century Kilts.
I had to ask. “Are you wearing anything under it?”
“I’m from Edinburgh — what do you think?”
A round of high fives and other fluttering hand movements greeted the completion of Scotsman Bruce Hamilton’s cocktail, and Peter was off to join in so I didn’t find out if he was near-naked underneath!
The creators of the two best drinks from each session were to be chosen for the final. The tension mounted. Bartenders and supporters wandered in and out of all of the bar rooms, wondering what was happening. Finally, the UKBG President, Salvatore Calabrese, and Peter Dorelli, entered behind the bar (Salvatore stood on a box to make himself as tall as Dorelli). That got a laugh from the by-now boisterous crowd. The names were announced: Bruce Hamilton and Orlando Santini from the first session; Andy Pearson and Manuel Soro from the second session. Now each of them had to re-make their cocktail and be awarded points by a new set of judges.
After more intense pressure, a long period of waiting for the starting signal, and a build up from the Maestro himself, the fab four began their final cocktail. You could feel the mood change as they concentrated so hard to make this their best; the one that would score them the triple: aroma, taste and visual delight.
(left) Tom Innes, Theme dreamer (right) The Judges' corner in the White bar room.
The Sputnik girls took each cocktail into the white room, and we all waited.
More nervous moments for the fab four. More thumping music. Finally, the results were in. Scott announced the decisions and the crowd went wild, and the enormous cardboard cheques suddenly appeared in the hands of the Sputnik people. Judging by the masculine hugs and shouts of joy, it was all worthwhile for the winners. For the losers, it was time to re-group and get ready for next year.
From the UKBG’s point of view, congratulations to every one of you who entered this year’s competition. All of you put your heart and soul into creating a unique cocktail.