The Ultimate Bartending Competition in 2011
During the early
90’s until early 20th century, bartending competitions for students
in the country has been linked with trade shows or culinary events. I myself
joined a few but I was always wondering why there aren’t any exclusive
bartending competitions. I was browsing through the internet one day and to my
delight I stumbled upon the FBA (Flair Bartenders’ Association) which was based
in the United States. Membership was possible online so I decided to be a
member. This group helped me a lot because this was where I met all the top
dogs of bartending at that time (and until now) and I got to interact with them
even online. It is here where I was
inspired to put up my own bartending competition inspired and patterned after LEGENDS
bartending competition which was held in Las Vegas, the mecca of bartending.
I was determined
to elevate bartending here in my own little way through the students since no
one was willing to at that time. This was dubbed LAST CALL! Bartending
challenge. This was the first competition to do away with jiggers and do free
pouring through “Working Flair”. We also had a “Pour test” that was a bonus
round. I had to go through my list of schools, sponsors and friends just to make
it happen. At first the dean of each school I went to were hesitant but with
sheer determination they joined. The first year had around 50 participants. The
following year it increased. Kolehiyala Flairshowdown was also born which was
exclusive for girls. We had a good 4 year run. All good things must come to an
end for I had to work for Holland America for 2006. But before that I designed
a competition for a Major juice company that had it going for 2 years. When I
came back, I judged a competition, I was amazed that the skills set of students
doubled but to my dismay, the technical stuff and mixology aspect decreased.
Electrical tapes were all over the bottle and shakers and. No one had a spill
stop 285-50. Very alarming.
It’s been around
4 years since I organized a competition but I have been brainstorming and this
was the right year to introduce a new format and bring competitions back to
proper perspective. Everything fell into place and I worked with On ground
activation and DKT Philippines. This year marked the beginning of a new kind of
bartending for the Philippines. U FLAIR! This is Flair and Mixology combined.
Objective is to make a drink on the spot in 4 minutes based on the descriptions
he will draw from 2 lots. To give you an idea, one lot has the secret
ingredient like mint, orange, and banana. The other lot contains descriptions
like “something fruity”, “something potent” and the list goes on. Why this kind
of format? Well, in a real bar situation, a guest will come to you not knowing
what to drink. The usual bartender would just recommend any drink out of the
bar list. A professional bartender on the other would ask the guest what flavor
he likes and from there derive and create a personal drink. I didn’t copy this
from any other competition. I just thought that this is what service excellence
is all about. So I wanted to make students experience this since they will be
doing this when they are in a real bar.
U FLAIR! Had
around 50 applicants which were trimmed down to 36. These were then spread out
into 3 venues: ICON, Club Phi, and Eivissa Super Club. The Grand finals was
held at Dolce Superclub.
I missed the
competition scene especially the briefing part. This is where I get to gauge
how the competition will be based on their questions and comments. (Include
list of students)This competition is not the only first to introduce a new
concept for 2011, it is also the first to give away a PORTABLE BAR as GRAND
PRIZE as well as ORIGINAL FLAIR BOTTLES as trophies. We had resident judges who
were all prominent in the beverage industry in their own right. I had no chefs
as judges in a bartending competition of course. The first heat at ICON was
pretty tough for it was their first time for this kind of format. The judges
would say were understanding but they didn’t compromise the objective of the
competition. The winners of this hat were probably the ones who were focused
since most of the contestants forgot to put garnish on their creations.
The second heat
was held in Club Phi at Metro Walk Ortigas. The venue was bigger and the
competition mode I would say was a bit prepared compared to the first which was
understandable.
The third heat
was done at Eiivissa Super Club at Tomas Morato. Here the main challenge was
the celing forit was too low for a bartending competition.Another one was the
strobe lights right above the stage for
this made some of the contestants’ move restricted. Nevertheless, they were
still able to show case their metal and it was a pretty good performance by
everyone.
The GRAND FINALS
was held at Dolce Super Club. The execution of this one was splendidly done
having a technical as well as a stage director to oversee the details. The
duration of the event was like American Idol style for each contestant had an
introduction video before they were introduced.
Another highlight of this competition was the
reintroduction of the POURTEST using an authentic EXACTO POUR unlike some
competition that only used “TEST TUBES”. I hope this round of the competition
should be present for all those who wish to come up and produce a competition
themselves for this is the basic skill needed for WORKING FLAIR.
It was a nerve
wracking atmosphere during the FINALS for people had no clue who was gonna win
since it was the first time to have this
kind of format.
The
distinguished panel of judges during the Grand finals were: Dax Jaurigue of
Source Asia Business Inc., Philippe Bartholomi of Century Park, Roderick Sorino
of Princess cruises and The Brand Manager of DKT Philippines Mr. Norman Campoy.
I would also like to acknowledge the other judges during the elimination round
which were Henry Magalona of Philippine Barista Guild and Rey Navoa also from
Source Asi a Business Inc.
To conclude, I
personally hope that this competition maybe a learning experience. To be a
professional bartender we need to know the basics and constantly enrich
ourselves with knowledge for as they say “ Knowledge is the best investment”
Here are some
pictures from this historical bartending competition.
Please check this link: Pictures of U FLAIR!
