Bacardi Global Travel Retail has announced the launch of the world renowned 2015 Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year, an annual event – now in its 10th year and believed to be the longest standing competition dedicated to the cruise industry. Its aim is to identify the best bartender on the high seas, as part of the Bacardi strategy to help raise standards of professionalism and cocktail-making in this vibrant and growing leisure sector.
The competition opened on Wednesday November 19, via www.bacardicruisecompetition.com and all bartenders on cruise and ferry lines around the globe are invited to enter – subject to eligibility. As in previous years, participants are required to create their own expertly crafted and unique, inspired cocktail recipes using at least one spirit from the Bacardi rum portfolio, in a way that demonstrates how that personal creation is inspired by their love of travel, the flavors, people and places they have experienced on their journeys including the interactions with guests they meet in the onboard bars.
This year’s competition is a one-stage competition where all entrants stand the chance to make the finals based on the quality of their recipes. Entries close on January 12, 2015 and the five finalists will be announced on January 19, 2015. The finals will take place in Miami, March 18-20, 2015.
Zachary Sulkes, Regional Manager Bacardi Travel Retail Americas explains the purpose of the competition: “Cruise is such a dynamic sector of tourism with strong levels of growth in the numbers of people choosing to vacation on the high seas – for example South America is a key market as more consumers start to travel internationally. With ever more sophisticated vessels launching each year and with many of these ‘super-ships’ offering up to 30 bars and restaurants as a major focus of the guest experience, we’re actively seeking to work with more cruise operators who share our vision to guarantee great cocktail experiences and to develop the mixology and presentation skills of the onboard bartender through initiatives such as the Bacardi Cruise Competition and in spotlighting the quality of destination bars such as Carnival’s Alchemy Bars, Celebrity’s Molecular Bars and Norwegian’s Mojito Bars, to name just a few.
“Cocktails and vacationing are perfect companions, creating special moments and the chance to try something new. By helping the cruise lines and the ambitious onboard bar-tending community to enhance their craft, we can really create a sustained category driving strategy that wins all round. I know there’s a lot of excitement already in the bartending community and we look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces from the last few years’ competitions.”
“Each bartender has a unique perspective on what makes the perfect cocktail – inspired by the flavors, the people and the places they’ve experienced in their travels. We want to see this come through in their submission, from personal passion and bold spirit, to unique creativity and innovation. We want them to show us what inspires them in their craft, in the same way they inspire their guests to have the best cocktail experience possible.”
The winner will receive $5,000 cash prize and a Bacardi experience, specifically selected to further the recipient’s craft and knowledge base.
In 2014, out of almost 2,000 entrants, the top prize went to Europe for the first time, with Liisi Kütt from Estonia – based Tallink Silja® Line, beating the competition with her “Summer Fairy” cocktail – a blend of BACARDÍ® Grand Melon, MARTINI® Prosecco, apple juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. She explained: “The inspiration for the recipe came from my position looking out on the calm summer seas of the Baltic with a perfect soundtrack in the background from the live band playing in the bar. Summer Fairy is all about being in that magical moment where summer meets nature and you find yourself lost in time.”
Other finalists in 2014 were Carnival’s Ioana Luncean, Brian Bent and Vera Restarovic plus NCL’s Joeped Garrido and Allan Garcia.
