After an intense two months of searching to find the UKBG’S National Cocktail Competition’s Winner, the UK Bartenders’ Guild is proud to reveal the finalists.
The line-up up of competitors hail from all four corners of the world and represent some of the most impressive talent within the UK hospitality industry.
This year, the NCC format was framed towards community learning. At each stage of the competition a series of seminars was hosted – in-person and online – developing competitor knowledge in the areas of Sake, Whiskey and Gin, bringing Japanese beverage culture to a wider audience throughout the UK, while upskilling our competitors.
The UKBG enhanced this further by hosting seminars and networking opportunities at the regional finals, including a memorable, impromptu skills masterclass and tasting session from industry legendary, Peter Dorelli.
The UKBG NCC 2021 represents the organisation’s renewed vigour to support and celebrate the industry and its workforce, encouraging all who can, to attend the Grand Final in January to cheer and celebrate their peers.
The finalists have so far been through an initial online recipe submission, sharing their best Sake-inspired cocktail featuring Akashi-Tai Sake; and an ‘Ultimate Highball’ round, featuring
Hatozaki whisky.
The Grand Final will see competitors recreating their initial Sake recipe submission, alongside a Gin Fizz recipe, as outlined in the Cafe Royal Cocktail Book Coronation Edition, authored by UKBG founder, William ‘Billy’ Tarling and will feature 135° East Gin.
Congratulations must go to the following individuals and their respective venues from the South Division, who will be coming together at the UKBG NCC2021 Grand Final on January 18th 2022 at the Prince Akatoki Hotel, London
Horace Buckenham – Southern Division 1st Place – Bank Bristol
Matteo Basso – Southern Division 2nd Place (Tie) – The Malt
Gabor Molnar – Southern Division 2nd Place (Tie) – The Pig on the Beach Hotel)
Alex Young – Southern Division 3rd Place (Tie) – The Ginger Viking
Gergorio Soriente – Southern Division 3rd Place (Tie) – The Hedgerow at Conrad St James
The winning semi-final recipes, along with event photos are also available on the UKBG site.
The UKBG would sincerely like thank the following venues for hosting the event in addition to the judges-
VENUES:
The Yacht Club on the Queen Elizabeth (Maritime Heat)
Mango Thai and Tapas Cocktail Bar (Hampshire Heat)
The Domino Club (Northern Heat)
ROKA (London Heat)
JUDGES
Eduard Dieusaert (UKBG Maritime Councillor, Senior F&B Development Manager Cunard) Lucia Montanelli (UKBG London Hotel Bars Chair, Head of Bar at the Dorchester)
Salvatore Damiano (UKBG Treasurer & Marussia Key Account Manager)
Jacob Zilvermann (GM Mango Bar)
Peter Dorelli (UKBG International Ambassador and Industry Legend)
Aaron Masonde (Renowned whisky educator)
Tommy Quy (UKBG South Coast Bartender 2014, Meridian Bartender League Winner 2015) Russell Burgess (Founder, Wet&Dry)
Leanne Ware (Founder, Distinctly Aware and UKBG Director of Marketing)
Miho Komatsu (Global Sales Director for the Akashi Sake Brewery)
Salvatore Castano (Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa ASI 2021).
Photos – Credit – Makers Photography 2021
