Tallink's Liisi Kutt crowned BACARDI Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year 2014

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 September 2014 16 September 2014

The award-winning Gale Hotel on Miami’s South Beach was the setting for the spectacular grand finale on September 5 in the quest to crown the BACARDÍ Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year 2014.

In a stunning line-up, the six finalists represented the best bartenders in the cruise industry and, for the first time, the title went to Europe, awarded to Liisi Kutt from TallinkSilja in Estonia who scooped the title and top prize of $5000, plus an immediate trip to Las Vegas to compete in The GQ Bombay Sapphire USBG™ Most Imaginative Bartender September 8-11 2014 – one of the most prestigious competitions in North America for the bartender profession.

Now in its 9th year, this year’s BACARDÍ Cruise Competition kicked off in February 2014 with competitors from the world’s leading cruise companies choosing to take the challenge in creating their own special infusion to reflect how travel has inspired their personal style of cocktail making.  These new heights of excellence all featured the BACARDÍ family of brands, with recipes including GREY GOOSE® vodkas, MARTINI® Prosecco, BACARDÍ Grand Melon, BACARDÍ Superior and BACARDÍ Oakheart®. St-Germain® was also a popular addition to the recipes.         

The finals were judged by Marc Plumridge, Bacardi Global Brand Ambassador, Michael Pasternak of Travel Markets Insider magazine, Colleen McDaniel of Cruise Critic.com and Julio Cabrera, Head Bartender at the iconic Regent Bar at The Gale Hotel, Miami South Beach and 2013 winner of the USBG Bacardi Most Imaginative Bartender.

Zachary Sulkes, Regional Manager Bacardi Travel Retail Americas, explains the strategic focus for 2014: "This year, we've had tremendous support from our cruise line partners and the mutual benefits of the competition will continue to grow as we work together to create standards of excellence in a year-round programme of activities. The finalists and, especially Liisi as the 2014 winner, are all amazing role models who inspire their colleagues and create aspirations for others to achieve the same level of professionalism.  The BACARDÍ Cruise Competition is by far our biggest commitment in our ambition to enhance the on-board cocktail experience for guests with positive advancements in the on-board cocktail experience.”

Julio Cabrera comments on his experience as judge: "I was really impressed with these bartenders. Creating cocktails on-board can be challenging as access to tools and ingredients is not as easy as in a downtown bar. They have shown impressive creativity and technical understanding in their innovations. Cruise is a bar world that's developing fast and The BACARDÍ Cruise Competition is a great initiative to raise the game and respect the professionalism of these important people in the guest experience."

Marc Plumridge adds: “There's no doubt that the most inspirational ingredient in a great cocktail is the bartender. Their skill in balancing flavors with excellent presentation and a warm and professional service is what brand owners want to nurture most strongly. The BACARDÍ Cruise Competition gives us a unique opportunity to connect with the onboard bartender community and to set new standards of excellence for the profession, recognizing the craft and passion of the very best.”

This year’s winner Liisi Kutt is a bartender with TallinkSilja on the Victoria I, usually sailing between Tallinn and Stockholm on two day cruises.  Before moving into bartending, she started her career as a chef and then took to the high seas as a photographer.  “I have the best bar tending job in the world, I love blending and harmonising flavours to bring out the essential elements of the spirits and of course to engage with my guests, introducing them to new drinking experiences.”   

Liisi’s winning cocktail Summer Fairy is a blend of BACARDÍ Grand Melon, MARTINI Prosecco, apple juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup.  The inspiration for the recipe came from Liisi’s 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. She added: “Summer Fairy is all about being in that magical moment where summer meets nature and you find yourself lost in time.

"Coming to compete in Miami for the BACARDÍ Cruise Competition has been an amazing experience and getting to spend time with some truly great cocktail experts like Julio Cabrera - the Head bartender at one of Miami's top bars, The Regent Cocktail Club, who also won the 2013 USBG Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, sponsored by GQ Magazine and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin - and actually have him judge my cocktail personally and spend time with me to give a really useful critique is something I never dreamt of.  Also Bacardi's Global Brand Ambassador Marc Plumridge has enabled me to learn so much about the brands and the techniques involved in making a truly great cocktail that I can’t wait to go back and put into practice in my bar.”

After winning the BACARDÍ Cruise Competition Liisi had the weekend in Miami before flying straight out to Las Vegas to join North America's most elite bartenders to compete in the quarterfinals of the 2014 USBG Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, sponsored by GQ Magazine and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin. She also watched the filming live on-set of GQ TV Channel's coverage of the event.

The other finalists were: Carnival’s Ioana Luncean, Brian Bent and Vera Restarovic – People’s Choice from www.cruise-critic.com.  NCL’s Joeped Garrido and Allan Garcia completed the six finalists.