Bacardi Global Travel Retail will celebrate the tenth year of its Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year in 2015.

 

The drinks company says the annual competition is the most enduring of its type dedicated to finding the cruise industry’s ‘best bartender’, while promoting its on-going goal to help raise professional standards of cocktail making on the high seas.

 

The competition opened to all bartenders on cruise and ferry lines around the globe earlier this week (November 19) with eligible participants invited to submit their own creations – including at least one spirit from the Bacardi rum portfolio.

 

Another requirement is that the finished product must reflect how the ‘personal creation is inspired by their love of travel, the flavours, people and places’ that the bartender has experienced on journeys in the past, including guest interaction with customers they have met in the on-board bars.

 

The company says that this year’s competition is a one-stage competition designed to give all entrants the opportunity to reach the finals based on cocktail recipe quality. All entries must be submitted by January 12, 2015 and Bacardi says that the five finalists will be announced on January 19, 2015. The final shake down shoot out is scheduled to be held in Miami between March 18-20, 2015.

 

Commenting on this latest competition, Zachary Sulkes, Regional Manager Bacardi Travel Retail Americas said: “Cruise is such a dynamic sector of tourism with strong levels of growth in the numbers of people choosing to vacation on the high seas – for example South America is a key market as more consumers start to travel internationally.

 

 

Last year’s finalists, with Liisi Kütt from Estonia-based Tallink Silja Line (far left) the ultimate winner. Kütt works on the M/S Victoria I which travels between Stockholm in Sweden to Tallin and she beat five other finalists with her creation: ‘Summer Fairy Cocktail’.

 

 

LOOKING TO WORK WITH MORE CRUISELINES

“With ever more sophisticated vessels launching each year and with many of these ‘super-ships’ offering up to 30 bars and restaurants as a major focus of the guest experience, we’re actively seeking to work with more cruise operators who share our vision to guarantee great cocktail experiences…”

 

Sulkes added that another purpose of the competition is simply to ‘develop the mixology and presentation skills’ of on-board bartenders, while also drawing attention to the quality of destination cruiseline company bars, such as Carnival’s Alchemy Bars, Celebrity’s Molecular Bars and Norwegian’s Mojito Bars and others.

 

“Cocktails and vacationing are perfect companions, creating special moments and the chance to try something new,” said Sulkes. “By helping the cruise lines and the ambitious on-board bar-tending community to enhance their craft, we can really create a sustained category driving strategy that wins all round.

 

“I know there’s a lot of excitement already in the bartending community and we look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces from the last few years’ competitions.”

 

He adds: “Travelling with either Tallink or Silja Line is much more than just getting from A to B. It is often considered a mini-cruise holiday, full of experiences, including shopping, entertainment, fine dining, various spa options and, of course, the possibility to try exciting cocktails in one of our many bars onboard.”

 

 

Underlining just how well regarded these awards are, Magnus Skjörshammer (left), Business Development Director for Tallink Silja Duty Free told TRBusiness that the world’s biggest ferry/cruise line was very proud to have won Bacadi’s competition in 2014: “This win means a lot to us as a company, to compete alongside bartenders from cruise companies like NCL and Carnival. It underlines the fact that we are a ferry/cruise line with highly professional staff on board, ready to give our passengers a unique experience.” [Click here for 2014 winner details: http://www.trbusiness.com/index.php/regional/international/15938-2014-09-09-14-27-46.html]

 

 

CREATIVITY, PASSION AND BOLD SPIRIT

Sulkes concluded that the company wants to encourage entrants to use their creations to express personal passion and bold spirit – plus ‘unique creativity and innovation’ – and what inspires them in their craft, while also providing ‘best cocktail experience possible’ for real cruiseline guests.

 

On offer to the winner is a $5,000 cash prize and a Bacardi experience, specifically selected to further the recipient’s craft and knowledge base.

 

The company says there were nearly 2,000 entrants last year with the top prize awarded in Europe (for the first time) to Liisi Kütt from the Estonia-based Tallink Silja Line – the biggest ferry line and the number one duty free and travel retail ferry company in the world by sales turnover.

 

Kütt beat off stiff competition with her ‘Summer Fairy’ cocktail, which was a blend of Bacardi Grand Melon, Martini Prosecco, apple juice, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Other finalists in 2014 included Carnival’s Ioana Luncean, Brian Bent and Vera Restarovic, plus NCL’s Joeped Garrido and Allan Garcia.

 

TOP IMAGE: Tallink Silja Line’s Serenade vessel.