The eighth annual Bols Around the World Bartending Championship is now open for entries with organiser Lucas Bols looking for the world's most visionary bartender. The final on May 20, 2014 will be live-streamed around the world for the first time.
Bols is this year looking for bartenders with vision ‘who are not afraid to take risks, challenge the status quo and set new rules’.
Competitors are invited to develop a new drink concept: a twist on an existing trend, a fusion of trends or a completely new idea. It must inspire other bartenders, be innovative yet easy to replicate and attractive for guests.
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Bartenders will be tasked with creating a cocktail and then with developing a drinks menu inspired by their creation. Those with the highest scores will present their drinks concept and cocktail in a two minute video to convince the judges why their idea could become the next big trend.
The UAE already has 23 entries in the competition, and the applications stay open until February 24, 2014. Zuma Dubai's Jimmy Barrat won the regionals last year and went on to compete in the grand final with the final 12 in the world out of 3000 bartenders.
Lucas Bols global brand manager Ara Carvallo said: “Bols Around the World is all about passionate bartenders, their lifestyle and their career. It provides a stage to share creativity and develop global contacts and exposes bartenders to different cultures and influences, resulting in lasting friendships and work in other bars around the world.
“Every year we are surprised by the way bartenders use Bols liqueurs and Bols Genever and then develop them further in their own creations to produce unique and delightful combinations. This reflects the culture at Bols and our firm belief that the best way to add value to the industry is by open innovation and close collaboration with bartenders.”
The contest, which officially launched online on December 1 2013 at Bols.com, attracts participants from 70 countries and this year includes new features to help bartenders further their careers. As contestants progress through the competition they will build their own digital portfolio, a dedicated page containing their drink concept, menu and video, facilitated by Bols.com.
The competition includes three heats and culminates in one representative from each region being invited to participate in the semi-finals. The semi-finals and grand final will be in Amsterdam from 16-20 May and judged by a panel of global spirits industry experts, led by Bols Bartending Academy head trainer, Malika Saidi.
The winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world to four cocktail cities and have the opportunity to work in the best bars as a guest bartender and like Rusty will also travel around the world, representing Bols at the industry’s most important trade shows.
All Bols Around the World finalists will become Bols Ambassadors in their own region and be trained extensively at the Bols Bartending Academy.
Rules and regulations for the contest can be found at bolsaroundtheworld.com, and MMI bar development & training manager Rebecca Sturt can also be contacted at +971 4 3040402 or rebeccas@mmi.ae
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