UKBG Northern Area
JUDGE JOHN REPORTS
News from North Area Chairman John Farrell:
I represented the U.K.B.G. on a panel to judge the Northern Hospitality Awards, held at the Lowry Hotel Manchester on April 7th. The judging took a considerable amount of time visiting venues and scrutinising their documentation on bar procedures and training programs. Michelin-starred restaurants & hotels such as The Lowry, plus a bevy of other superstars of the industry were included in the search for the best so you can imagine the difficulty involved in the judges’ task.
Our reward was worth it. We were designated as VIPs at the Awards dinner, created by the wondrous Eyck Zimmer and his team. The night was set for what was soon to be a time of celebration for the U.K.B.G.
In the Best Bar category we were represented by two U.K. members who made it to the shortlist. We were over the moon when we discovered Barlounge, Chester carried off first prize. Congratulations.
Jake’s Bar & Grill from Leeds was the other U.K.B.G. member to make the short list.
Barlounge Chester impressed me in all of the aspects we had to make a judgement on, particularly regarding the service and training standards.
Barlounge Chester is a thriving city centre bar in its 9th year. Situated on Watergate Street in Chester, it has a decadent style combined with the comfort necessary to attract customers. An opulent sofa area features a long, traditional wooden bar! I was lost in the sumptuous pleasure dome sofas, as were Niel Mc Donald( photo ) & Louie.
Here we go again with the Best Pub Category and David & Kate Deacon(photo) at The Shoulder of Mutton Kirby Overblow, North Yorkshire. A fascinating pub with high standards and top food and drink.
The Shoulder of Mutton was originally an 18th-century coaching inn and stands on the edge of the tiny picturesque village of Kirby Hill, with magnificent panoramic views of Homdale and beyond.
David & Kate at the Shoulder of Mutton and Louie at Barlounge welcome all U.K.B.G. members and their friends to sample their delights whenever in the Northern Hospitality area.
Micheal Sugden of the Stanley Cabaret Bar, Chapel Street, Blackpool also made the shortlist for the Special Achievement Award, and Yours Truly was awarded Pub of the Year by Thwaites Brewery, and also picked up a best Bar None Award from the Lancashire police.
Our area secretary, Roy, is about to launch a new late-night venue in Fleetwood. Lofthouse Wayat the Loft Night Club will feature topD.Js. SubCulture Nights, with 1960s'/1970's Four-Piece Bands as part of the entertainment.All U.K.B.G.members can gain free entry.
Another place to visit is the Lowes Arms, Denton, Manchester where Peter & Gillian Wood have just re-opened their Micro brewery. Along with their good food & Real Ale offerings, coupled with a warm welcome and discounts for members, we can’t go wrong.
The New Derina Hotel, Hornby Road, Blackpool, will also give discounts to U.K.B.G. members visiting the area, and will also provide personalised guided tours. Phone 01253 622572 to arrange a tour.
ANDY PEARSON COMES 5TH AT IBA WORLD COCKTAIL COMPETITION
The winner of the 56th IBA WORLD COCKTAIL COMPETITION 2007, held in Taiwan earlier this week, was Krista Meri from Estonia. The UKBG’s representative, Andy Pearson, came a very respectable 5th in the world’s ultimate professional cocktail competition. Congratulations, Andy.
Oh Happy Day!
A report from the pen of John Farrell, UKBG North Area Chairman, Our Man in the Orient
on the Yong Fu No. 3 Road in Taiwan.
It was a hot and humid day. It felt like the Orient was about to explode when Derrick Lee, President of the IBA, let loose a sleeping dragon and the World Cocktail Competition began. In what was a fast and furious flash of shakers, mixing glasses, and metal on metal, the battle for the prestigious world title was on for one and all. Nobody could separate the contestants as they showed off their talent and technical expertise in the heat of the moment. In the tempestuous, volcanic atmosphere the competitors were possessed, surrounded by spirits, mixers, juices, and garnishes. From the maddening melée came the words we wanted to hear: Andy Pearson, the fanqui from Hull, had emerged as a worthy finalist.
Top left: Searching the market for fruits for the garnish are Salvatore
and Andy Pearson. Top right: Peter Dorelli and more fruit.
Above: Eating, drinking and generally carousing.
Exhilaration showed on Andy's face and those of his supporters, fellow strategists in the war arena. But if he thought that first round had been hot, the next two hours would prove to be like the trials of grasshopper in a shao lin monastery, and no amount of kung fu knowledge could prepare him for what was coming. He was entering the Dragon’s province.
Just at that moment Mickael Perron appeared with the Union Jack on a length of bamboo hacked out of the jungle. A cry went up from President Salvatore Calabrese for the supporting troops to rally.
Top: The Maestro prepares to rally the troops in his pink hard hat.
Top right: Andy Pearson preparing for battle.
Below: The UKBG group in formal attire.
Peter Dorelli and Jim Slavin, two of his Generals, were locked away in the bureaucracy of the Taiwan event, while the rest of us—Luca Cordiglieri, Daniel Crebesse, myself and Charlie Pearson (Andy's father and Number 1 fan to Number 1 son) remained at the front line, like ancient warriors from past dynasties.
Then, it was time for the final competitors to stride up to the line again. Andy Pearson was cool and focused; the other competitors could only try to follow the lead of the pride of the UKBG Great Britain.
The room went quiet. The gods were deliberating who would get the cut (or should I say chop). The Spirit of Adventure (Andy's Drink) had taken Andrew Pearson to Taiwan; he and the UKBG had made their mark but had they ensured the Dragon slumbered on? Andy made the cut to the last 12; then to the last 6. His final round saw him end up in a very honorable 5th position out of 52 countries. Streetwise Andy will get back into the British scene with pride—just don't ask him for a number 49 ( it might come with rice.)
Above: The Golden Boys, Luca Cordiglieri and Daniel Crebesse.
THE FLAIR SHOW
Speed saw “No-Slow-Flo” take the Flair Competition to the limits with a rapid response to all challenges. Florian had to compete against the likes of Spiderman and Superman (superheroes in their own right) bagging 2nd and 3rd in a passionate final. He must have eaten the wrong fortune cookie because the jury didn’t see my point of view.
I interviewed his mentor, Mickael Perron, and London Chairman Luca Cordiglieri, who were also ecstatic about Florian's performance, but disclosed he had an injury to his arm sustained during practice 2 days before the competition!
With a partisan crowd being whipped up by the in-house screens, it was always going
to be a tough call but we really did think Florian would be in the mix when the prizes
were given out.
So, overall, our guys did very well in the land of Fu Man Chu where the coolie isn't a drink and a typhoon wasn’t the only thing flying about.
Above left: The IBA winner, Krista Meri, from Estonia with Salvatore Calabrese and Danilo Uribe and Uruguay, winner of the Flair Competition. Right: UKBG President, Mr Calabrese receives a gift from IBA President Derrick Lee.
FINAL RESULTS 56th IBA WORLD COCKTAIL COMPETITION 2007
1st: Krista Meri from Estonia
2nd: Fabio Bacchi from Italy
3rd: Andris Noreikis from Latvia
8th IBA WORLD FLAIR-TENDER COCKTAIL COMPETITION 2007
1st: Danilo Oribe from Uruguay
2nd: Stefan Haneder from Austria
3rd: Hsu Po-Sheng from Taiwan
Book Now!
The Guild’s book (The international Guide to Drink) is now available at W. H. Smiths and Waterstone’s. However, there will be a special Price of £10 for Members of the Guild on request at any of the above. Take along some form of UKBG identification.
Education Opportunity
We have been holding Cocktail Education sessions at the Duke of York, concentrating on technical aspects. Anyone seeking information on education please contact the UKBG’s northern region education officer, John Farrell.
Anyone interest in taking advertising on the UKBG website please contact J.F. for prices and details.