Raising the bar for the beverage industry
CLOUD 9 in conjunction with The Distillery Co Fiji organised a cocktail competition for 12 of the most creative mixologists and bartenders in the country.
The event judged by industry experts including famed chef Lance Seeto included a mystery box round where participants had to build from the base knowledge they have of classic drinks and add a touch of creative flair to impress the eager judges.
The Distillery Co chief executive officer Paul Clark said the event helped promote both locally made products and ingredients, and allowed local bartenders to come together and make connections through friendly competition.
The participants who were representative of various resorts and bars around the country, chatted nervously among themselves while the spread of ingredients was laid out at the floating pizzeria and bar Cloud 9.
The competition kicked off with the mixologists each preparing a creative signature cocktail, followed by the mystery box challenge, ending with a speed round for making an accurate classic mojito.
Some looked focused on their craft while others jived with the music provided by DJ duo 2tings Fiji and put on the showmanship that comes with mixology.
Humble first place winner, Aaron A from Kanu Gastropub said “I wasn’t looking for the win; it’s all about coming together with the other bartenders and enjoying making drinks together. I enjoyed that.”
Despite not having judged the winning drink to avoid a conflict of interest, owner of Kanu Gastropub Lance Seeto said of the win “I tell my boys to do what they know. Working with ingredients that are new to you can be risky. Go a little above what you normally do but stick with what you know.”
Second and third place winners, Rafa Jaklik of The Intercontinental Resort and Spa and Fai of the Whyndam Group appeared confident throughout the competition.
Judges were impressed with most cocktails presented to them by all participants in a day of banding together as an industry and promoting local mixology.