Representing
the Philippines in Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition (BLCC),(top 5 most promising cocktail in the Philippines) John Richelieu O. Cruz talks about his
journey in designing his signature cocktail, El Tindero, his inspiration, and his passion for all things bartending.
What led you to join Bacardi Legacy?
Joining this prestigious global competition
came as a surprise. I received a phone call about it while I was busy with my day job. Here in my
country I have always been involved in bartending events but it was only til I
won 3rd place in Bols Around the World that I got excited to join BLCC.
I read the rules and asked some questions. I didn’t hesitate to
join. Basically at this point in my life I would like to challenge myself and
see where I am now in terms of the craft of bartending. Secondly I dedicate this competition
to my family especially my father.
What would winning Bacardi Legacy mean to you?
Winning Bacardi Legacy will mean a lot to me because at this point in my career I have considered bartending as my life. I have always been advocating the love of the job for it to elevate into a well-respected profession and as you go deeper it will become your lifestyle. Bacardi Legacy made me discover a different aspect of myself and this is just the beginning.
What do you think makes Bacardi Legacy a worthy competition to participate in?
I sincerely believe in the logo of Bacardi
which stands for Health Fortune and Family Unity. Each competition has a
different objective. For this competition, a cocktail that will stand the test
of time is a very challenging one since you live and die by your cocktail creation.
I
always believe that the cocktail is a representation of the bartender who made
it and everything in El Tindero definitely represents me. The marketing aspect of the
competition is another aspect that I also like because it tests you to walk the
talk and be proud of your product.
Tell us about your cocktail drink.
This drink was
actually inspired by the man himself who found Bacardi, Don Facundo Masso. As I
read through his account a very clear picture of him caught my attention. He is
the epitome of the ultimate businessman. The ultimate businessman is a person
who sells with passion. To sell something, one must be confident about what he is
selling, To be confident, the product must be well-researched, everything has
relevance not only to the seller but to the end user. One cannot do this if one does not have passion, dedication and motivation. And that is what Don Facundo
has shown.
But what makes him stand out as the ultimate businessman is that
his main driving force is that he gives value to his family. Don Facundo did
all these for his family, he wanted something that he can leave behind and
passed on to the future generation. And it comes with no surprise that until
now Bacardi is still owned by family.
This realization
almost drove me to tears since I was reminded of my father. My father showed
his passion by being selfless. He went abroad, worked in Saudi, after that he bought
a taxi, worked in a hotel as a valet just so he can put us through school. He did
everything for us. He valued us more than anything else.
Last year was the most
difficult time for us since my father was diagnosed with the big C. But even
then that didn’t stop him from helping us out in the house in whatever
capacity. He is our MacGyver, a handyman. Until the day came that he told me,
“Son, I think you’re all set.” On May 25 at 6:08 PM he passed away. With
this tragic incident, I realized that the legacy my father left is my family
and now it is up to me to continue it.
Time is Gold as
they say and the ultimate businessman always spends the day as if it were his
last. In my country a salesman is called tindero … thus the ultimate salesman, one
who sells with passion and values his
family is called El Tindero.
The rules allows you to use 6 ingredients. Which one do you think makes your cocktail stand out?
I personally think that every ingredient I
used has a unique character that it brings to the drink but if I were to choose
one it would have to be the apple cider vinegar. Most would actually use lime,
lemon or orange for their citrus but I figured that I wanted to use an
ingredient that is both sour and complex and I think I have hit the jackpot
with this ingredient.
In fact people who have tasted El Tindero would always be surprised when I mention this.
Between
Bacardi Carta Blanca and Oro as the base which did you go for and why?
I would definitely go for Bacardi Oro.
Bacardi Oro has tasting notes of rich
vanilla, buttery caramel, toasted almonds, and sweet banana note with the warm
zest of orange peel and a light tasting oaky finish. Given this flavor profile,
the other ingredients in El Tindero blends perfectly with it.
I used lager
beer to enhance the notes of bitterness that the orange peel brings. The coconut, on the other hand, brings sweet and nutty flavors. The muscovado syrup brings caramel notes as well
as a slight aroma of saltiness. The apple cider vinegar brings the sourness and
releases all the flavors of my cocktail.
And finally the toasted desiccated coconut with a touch of muscovado is the aroma and savory factor that this
cocktail presents.
I would recommend this as an after-dinner
drink, a very suitable finale for a sumptuous meal.
Why do you think your cocktail has what it takes to be the next Bacardi Legacy
cocktail?
If you would notice, I used ingredients that one
could find in both the bar and the kitchen because I always believed Food
and Beverage should always complement each other. The desiccated coconut and
apple cider vinegar definitely shows that in El Tindero.
Who would make you happy to be drinking your cocktail creation?
Thank you for this question. I sincerely
dedicate this to all the people who work and sell something whether it be a product or a service. Most especially those who do it with passion and for their family, which they value. I raise a glass for a
good job done and tomorrow is another day.
Any tips for next year's contestants?
This is a breakthrough year for Bacardi
Philippines since it would be the first time we are joining the competition.
Hopefully this competition will be a fire starter so that our bartenders here
will be motivated to compete. Last year we had a total of 50 entries and I am
confident that next year there will be more. Love the job and it will love you back.
