Hot News – October 2014

By Rob Husted

Updated: October 1, 2014

USBG LEGACY COCKTAIL COMPETITION SPONSORED BY BACARDI® now in its fifth year, is one of the most unique and inventive events in the world of mixology.

This global event invites the world’s best bartenders to express and showcase their creativity by creating cocktails that are destined to become classics. The previous years’ events have been overwhelmingly successful, and 2015 will be no exception. According to BACARDI®, the ambition of the competition is to “inspire the next generation of classic rum cocktails … that will become as revered as the BACARDI® Daiquiri and the BACARDI® Mojito.”

A multi-faceted trade advocacy platform, the USBG competition is a four-phase process, with recruitment of talent beginning in August, and ongoing events – including seminars, cocktail assessments, rum sessions and tastings – occurring throughout the fall. The culmination occurs with the national finals in February, 2015, followed by the global finals in May, 2015.

In addition to recognition of their talent – and the status of being chosen by USBG – “Most Promising” participants automatically become members of the Chilled 100, which spotlights the best bartenders, mixologists, bar owners, and industry influencers in the country. As one of the most recognized spirit marques in the world, the legacy of BACARDI® is undeniable. The opportunity to create a timeless cocktail that is recognized by the brand and the industry as worthy of this legacy is one-of-a-kind. The 2015 Global Legacy Cocktail Competition will prove to be invaluable for the bartenders involved—and exciting for everyone taking part in it.

The United States Bartenders’ Guild (“USBG”) will host educational cocktail labs in twelve (13) cities – Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Austin, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Portland, Philadelphia and San Francisco – at which bartenders will learn how to create cocktails using BACARDI® rum. Attendance is by invitation only.

Deadline is October 20, 2014.

PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, the original, all-natural pomegranate liqueur, announces the second annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition.  The competition is open exclusively to professional bartenders and mixologists. Six finalists will compete in New York City for a Grand Prize of $5,000, a second place prize of $2,000 and a third place prize of $1,000.  The competition will showcase the limitless versatility that PAMA brings to bartenders that makes it the indispensable modifier.  Its ruby-red color, delicate sweet-tart flavor and silky texture turn ordinary cocktails into unforgettable ones and transform bartenders into bar stars.

Second Annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition for PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

 

Groundbreaking Competition Spotlights PAMA as the Indispensable Modifier

That Transforms Ordinary Tipples into Extraordinary Libations

 

WHAT

PAMA, the original, all-natural pomegranate liqueur, announces the second annual “Are You Indispensable?” Cocktail Competition for professional bartenders and mixologists age 21+.  The competition, hosted by Hanna Lee Communications, Inc., spotlights PAMA’s role as the indispensable modifier that harmonizes an infinite array of base spirits, both clear and aged, and cocktail ingredients in drinks for every occasion and season.  With its balanced sweet-tart flavor, silky texture and ruby-red color, PAMA brings complexity and sophistication to cocktails ranging from aperitifs to nightcaps.

 

PRIZES

Six finalists will be chosen to compete in New York City.  The grand prize is $5,000, with second and third place winners awarded $2,000 and $1,000 prizes respectively.

 

COCKTAIL GUIDELINES

• Any base spirit, clear or aged, may be used
• The cocktail must contain a minimum of ½ oz of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
• Recipes should use a maximum of four (4) common ingredients rather than those that are obscure or homemade
• Techniques should likewise be straightforward to facilitate replication by home bartenders
• All recipe ingredients are to be specified using U.S. measurements

HOW TO APPLY

A maximum of two (2) recipes, including cocktail names, list of ingredients, preparation method, inspiration behind each cocktail and cocktail photos should be uploaded at www.shakestir.com/PAMA.

 

SUBMISSION PERIOD

July 15 to December 30, 2014

 

FINAL COMPETITION DATE

March 2015

 

JUDGING PANEL

• Paul Pacult – Noted spirits critic and publisher/editor of The Spirit Journal
• Steve Olson – Founder of aka wine geek and renowned spirits, wine and cocktail expert
• Julie Reiner – Doyenne of cocktails and owner of Flatiron Lounge and Clover Club
• Kate Shapira Latts – Director of Marketing and a member of the third generation of the family behind Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the parent company of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

 

COCKTAIL RECIPE OWNERSHIP

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. will assume ownership of all the submitted recipes and will credit its creator in all publicity (print, broadcast, online), social media platforms, as well as marketing materials.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PAMA POMEGRANATE LIQUEUR

www.pamapros.com / Twitter: @PAMAPros

 

HOSTED BY

The competition is organized and hosted by Hanna Lee Communications, Inc.

www.facebook.com/HannaLeeCommunications / Twitter: @hannaleenyc

www.hannaleecommunications.com
Deadline is December 30, 2014.

Roadhouse is an American themed bar & diner in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. Known throughout the world for its phenomenal bartenders and elite bar team, Roadhouse is also reputable for its recruitment process where only the ‘best of the best’ bartenders are selected to grace their presence & skill – making their own contribution to the success of the world famous Roadhouse.
That was then……..the year of 1999. Roadhouse identified the interest on Flair through the bartenders’ skills fast becoming a competitive game on shift, that we recognised the potential of bar teams all over London & beyond that we hosted an in-house Flair competition against another fellow Flair bar team, TGI Fridays. The night was so successful Roadhouse decided to develop the idea and open it up to the public…..this was the night where it all started.

Over the years the competition has been tweaked and molded to move with the times. People change, and so does the face of Flair. Roadhouse remains the leader in this field with the innovation of multi objects and strategic judging criteria. Still working on a ranking system and part of a league, Roadhouse utilises every month to make sure that the grand final holds host to the biggest names of flair in the world.
A special recognition must go out to Brett Seychelle who identified and pursued the interest in Flair to develop the Roadhouse Flair Competition. In addition to all who have participated, competed or contributed to Roadhouse Flair, we also thank previous organisers Troy, Andy Collinson, Lord Tugworth and Jay Du Toit for their involvement and promotion of the Roadhouse Flair competition, for whose efforts have made this competition the biggest in the world!!

FLAIR CALENDAR

February

Tom Dyer’s winning round from Roadhouse in February.

March