The Fourth BACARDI Cruise Competition has found its winners from a group of ten semi-finalists (five cocktail and five culinary), who were announced at an exclusive, private Awards Gala event on Fisher Island in Florida

recently.

The two grand prize winners each received their prestigious honours along with cash scholarships, presented in cooperation with competition partner the Marine Hotel Association.

Greger Lindberg, Bar Manager of Viking Cinderella, was named the BACARDI Bartender of the Year for his Rocks/Highball cocktail, Jinx and Alex Hekimov, Pastry Chef of Silversea Cruises, received the BACARDI Chef of the Year title for his dessert, Citrus and BACARDI? Indulgence.

The Cocktail Category Winners also included (Martini Cocktail) Larysa Shlyapina, Cunard Line; (Signature Cocktail) Bebin Joseph Kurian, Norwegian Cruise Line; (Frozen) Kiran Aguiar, Norwegian Cruise Line; and (Mojito) Remigiusz Labus, Unity Line.

The Culinary Category Winners also included: (Appetizer) Vairavan Ve, Royal Caribbean International; (Flavoured Rum/Fish/Seafood) Denis Schnitzler, Royal Caribbean International; (Meat Entr?e) Trevor Fernandes, Carnival Cruise Lines; and (Poultry) Alex Hekimov, Princess Cruises.

‘The Fourth BACARDI Cruise Competition continues to see an increase in global popularity as this year three European lines were named as semi-finalists and cocktail category winners. This international growth is a testament to the exceptional bartenders and mixologists that are found on ships worldwide,’ says Jos? Chao, Bacardi Travel Retail Division Americas Vice President.

‘Furthermore, this was the first year international celebrity mixologists judged the cocktail entries to choose our five category winners, adding an impressive global element to the judging process. We are thrilled to highlight these talented cocktail and culinary artisans.’

During the Awards Gala, guests had the opportunity to vote for their favourite cocktail and culinary dish, thereby choosing a bartender and chef to receive the People?s Choice Award. This year's People's Choice Award winners were Remigiusz Labus of Unity Line for his Apple Mojito cocktail, and Trevor Fernandes of Carnival Cruise Lines for his Braised Beef meat entr?e.