The Bartender's Challenge 2008-2009
After the resounding success of last year's competition, we thought we would take this competition a step further still by opening up the challenge to all bartenders from across the United Kingdom, with the competition being eventually reduced down to the leading three who will then travel to Jamaica to compete in the 2008-2009 Bartender's Challenge Grand Final.
The London, Leeds and Edinburgh heats have now been completed in fine style and the finalists chosen. With the Birmingham heat to go the standard so far has been awesome and the National final is shaping up to be a throw down of the highest quality.
Huge respect to everyone that has competed so far.
Thanks to Rich and the Floridita crew for hosting a great show and a special mention to the over amorous couple so inconveniently interrupted by the ever vigilant Mr Woods. Get. A. Room. (The bathroom doesn't count).
Full details of the London heat will be posted shortly, in the meantime....
Here's a pictorial summary of events in the 'burgh. You make up your own mind....
 
There's a metaphor in there somewhere.....
 
"Tough gig being reigning champion eh Mr Hunt...."
 
 
Massive thanks go out to The Voodoo Rooms, Jamie Mac, all the bartenders and Edinburgh in general for an awesome heat of the Appleton Bartender Challenge.
*** update ***
Qualified for the National finals on 24th/25th March so far:
Julien de Feral, Joe Stokoe, Tom Bulmer, Tom Vernon, Shervene Shahbazkhani, Sam Kershaw, Bobby Cockburn and Sam Fish, Martin Taylor, Tom Sneesby.
Results from the UK Final, and qualified for the Grand Final in Kingston Jamaica...
Joe Stokoe
Tom Bulmer
Sam Kershaw
Pictures and details of the UK final will follow as soon as I have time to write them up and post them...
Entrants to the regional heat will be selected by IPBartenders and JWN UK based on applications. Please also be aware that the 2-day National Final is scheduled to be in London on 24th-25th March 2009 and that the Grand Final in Jamaica will be held between 27th April and 10th May 2009.
At each regional heat, entrants will be required to complete a knowledge test, and then make a round of 4 classic rum drinks - Mojito, Mai Tai, Daiquiri and a Jamaican Mule, plus their own original cocktail, within 6 minutes, while also completing a short free-pour test. Points are awarded for efficiency, showmanship and personality (performance to music etc), attention to detail, free-pouring, knowledge and quality of drinks.
The final test involves running your own bar for 3 hours at in Jamaica for 300 guests with 2 other finalists. At the end of the night the guests vote for their favourite tender, the winner being crowned 'Appleton Bartender of the Year 2009'
Bartenders who would like to strengthen their application are invited to submit a video (up to 90 seconds in length, mobile videos are fine as long as they are clear) of themselves making their listed cocktail while explaining to the judges what makes them an ideal candidate for the Bartenders Challenge. Please upload the video onto YouTube and provide a link.
All aplications to your local Appleton rep or through Class Magazine http://www.classbar.com/bartenders_challenge.html
It's the ultimate bartender test so get involved!!!
Download local coverage from last year in Jamaica;
Click here to download Jamaica Coverage - Observer
Click here to download Jamaica Coverage - Herald
Ben and Paul are currently away in Jamaica hosting this years Grand Final
more details will follow, possibly including more pictures like these.......
 
 
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