Last
February 21,2015, Pinoytender Management Consultancy in cooperation with
Bacardi-Martini Philippines staged the Bacardi U-Mix Bartending Challenge ,a
bartending competition for students that focuses on the “talking bartender” and
the search for that ultimate cocktail. This is the culminating activity of the
advocacy program of Bacardi Philippines, the Bacardi University for students
which is now on its 2nd year.
The
competition was held at en Route Distillery Tomas Morato in Quezon City. The
venue itself gave its attendees a feel of what Bacardi is all about. A
bottomless Cuba Libre bar with stunning models, Cuban songs filling the area, wood
planks and barrels which takes us back to the country where the best
international rum was founded.
The
program started with the opening remarks given by the organizer of the event
and proprietor of Pinoytender and Philippine Bartending.com Mr. Richie Cruz. As
he puts it, “This is the first competition in the country to adapt this format
for students (the talking bartender)
because we want to develop the future players of the beverage industry in how
they express themselves while making a drink. Our goal is to produce bartenders
that can compete in international competitions and be future ambassadors of our
brand. A bartender takes pride in the
drinks he makes, a cocktail is a whole story on its own. We always invest in
the youth and believe that one day we will achieve our road to LEGACY.
In
order to know who is best for this year, 5 distinguished panel of judges were
invited and these included:
Mitos Semana – Champion Bacardi U-Mix
2013-2014
Jericson Co – Partner in Curator and
Edsa Beverage Group
Rian Asiddao – Bartender of Long Bar
in Raffles Makati
Jerry Miranda – Head Bartender Prive
Luxury Club
Adrian Gearing – Training Director of
Holland America
The mechanics of this competition is
to make a cocktail in 5 minutes. But the twist is that they have to talk and
explain what they are doing in English.
Criteria
for judging:
Name 10
Technical Skills and presentation 10
Appearance 10
Aroma, balance flavours and character
appeal 40
Ingenuity and innovation 10
Inspiration and story behind the
recipe 10
Product knowledge 5
Promotional Plan 5
TOTAL 100
Deductions would
include over time if the drink yield is appropriate
After the competition all of the
participants were asked to sit down with the judges and had a debriefing of how
they performed. As one judge said, “ You are all winners the fact that you are
here in this competition. Never stop honing your craft and expose yourselves in
the world of cocktails.”
Ansherina Vicente Umali 56.2
Tropical Sensation Joseph Tibayan 62.6
Cucuban Delight Joshua Parcero 68.6
Pristine Ansherina Bautista 57
Rogue Ralph Romasanta 44.8
Burst Jhon Parraba 73.6 3rd University of Santo Tomas
Facundo’s Special Venian Duque 72.6 4th Manila Tytana College
Storge Charmaine Dela Paz 74.4 1st Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
The Summer Class Rizele Camille Trinidad 68.8
Cocorumba Emervin Torlao 73.8 2nd Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
The heart of Flamel John Caballes 71.4
Best in Cocktail John Anthony P. Caballes Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila
1st P5,000 trophy,medal.certificate, gift packs from
Bacardi and World Class Concepts
2nd P3,000 trophy,medal.certificate, gift packs from
Bacardi and World Class Concepts
3rd P2,000 trophy,medal.certificate, gift packs from
Bacardi and World Class Concepts
Best in Cocktail
P2,000 trophy,medal.certificate, gift packs from Bacardi and World
Class Concepts
Schools that participated include: Lyceum of the Philippines
University Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Manila Tytana College and St.
Paul University of Quezon City.
Official Media Sponsors of this event
are: When in Manila.com and Hospitality News Philippines.
This is indeed another historical
event for Philippine Bartending in the aspect of Mixology.
Kudos to Ito Zamora
and Bobby Campos of Bacardi Philippines for making this event a reality.
Let us see where the road will take
us.
