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Bacardi Travel Retail Ambassador Cricket Nelson was among the Cruise Competition judges |
INTERNATIONAL. Bacardi Global Travel Retail has named the five finalists for each of the Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Bacardi Chef of the Year Awards in the 7th annual Bacardi Cruise Competition. The brand owner said that the contest attracted a record number of entries (1,850, up +15% on last year) from bartenders and chefs working for cruise and ferry lines worldwide.
The awards this year come amid Bacardi’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Entries were narrowed down to ten finalists by a team of cocktail and culinary experts headed by Chef Dewey LoSasso from Miami’s The Forge restaurant and Bacardi Travel Retail Ambassadors Marc Plumridge and Cricket Nelson.
The winners of the titles of Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Bacardi Chef of the Year and a prize of US$5,000 each will be announced at an awards night held on Friday, 9 March at the Bacardi USA headquarters in Coral Gables, Florida.
Bacardi Travel Retail Americas Regional Manager Zachary Sulkes said: “Collaborating with our cruise channel partners, the Bacardi Cruise Competition has inspired the industry’s talented bartenders and chefs to deliver an increasing level of quality and innovation in their food and drink offering for travellers. This year’s entries were exceptional and I’m thrilled that we are rewarding a group of individuals who are delivering world-class onboard experiences.”
This year’s five cocktail categories were based on Bacardi group core brands, while the culinary category received entries for appetizers, main courses, vegetarian courses and desserts.
Besides the top cash prizes, the Marine Hotel Association (MHA) will also offer the Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Bacardi Chef of the Year a five-day intensive High Performance Leadership course of study for cruise industry professionals at Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Bacardi Bartender of the Year Finalists
Name: Mika Savinainen
Cruise/Ferry Line: Tallink/Silja
Recipe Name: Bacardi Oakheart Flip
Category: Bacardi rums and flavoured rums
Name: Adri Ford
Cruise/Ferry Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Recipe Name: Pink Victoria
Category: Grey Goose vodka and flavoured vodkas
Name: Ronald Porras
Cruise/Ferry Line: Royal Caribbean International
Recipe Name: Ruby Sapphire
Category: Bombay Sapphire gin
Name: Ricky Poyaoan
Cruise/Ferry Line: Costa Crociere
Recipe Name: Corretto Cocktail
Category: Dewar’s Blended Scotch Whisky
Name: Joseph Nackman
Cruise/Ferry Line: Celebrity Cruises
Recipe Name: The Malgarita
Category: Signature Cocktail – Pepper
Bacardi Chef of the Year Finalists
Name: Gregorio Anonuevo
Cruise/Ferry Line: Royal Caribbean International
Recipe Name: Bacardi Seafood Sampler
Category: Appetizer
Brand Used: Bacardi Limon Flavoured Rum, Bacardi Gold Rum, Martini Asti Sparkling Wine
Name: Daniel Rodrigues
Cruise/Ferry Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Recipe Name: “Brillat Savarin” tournedos with aged rum and creamed mushrooms
Category: Main Course (meat, poultry, fish)
Brand Used: Bacardi OakHeart Spiced Rum, Noilly Prat Dry vermouth
Name: Thorsten Gillert
Cruise/Ferry Line: Holland America Line
Recipe Name: Potato-Mushroom-Lasagne with Noilly Prat Nage.
Category: Vegetarian
Brand Used: Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth
Name: Glenmark Flores
Cruise/Ferry Line: Cunard Line
Recipe Name: Bacardi Day and Night Mousse
Category: Dessert
Brand Used: Bacardi Superior Rum
Name: Ramesh Thirumal
Cruise/Ferry Line: Royal Caribbean International
Recipe Name: Grey Goose Halibut Vitality
Category: Heart Healthy
Brand Used: Grey Goose Le Citron Flavoured Vodka
