Bahri Bar’s team leader Maria Essa Jannina Sinay was adjudged the bartender of the year at the 2017 Caterer Awards.
“The room was full of very talented bartenders and professionals, so I feel quite privileged to win such a coveted award,” said Sinay who was the first awardee of the awards ceremony.
Sinay began her career in Dubai three years ago at Le Royal Meridien, Dubai as a bartender.
She has shown a massive appetite for participating in various flair and bartending competitions.
In 2015, she was ranked ninth in the Bols Competition around the World, backing that up by securing the fifth rank in the Bols Competition for Middle East.
She also finished that year with a third place finish in the Jameson Barrelman Cocktail Competition.
Sinay previously worked in Singapore where her skills won her the title of ‘Best in cocktail Barstylez World bar-tending championship 2013 Singapore’.
“Taking part in these competitions not only boosts my personality but it also lets me learn new things from around the world. The last time I had won the best bartender in the Monin Competition and represented Jumeirah and the UAE in Pairs, it just gives me motivation.”
Sinay revealed on days when it’s not going well, her seniors and team members do their best to pick her up. “I want to thank them because they help and push me to overcome the pressure I face sometimes,” she said.
Her involvement in competitions does not, however, steal her focus from her duties at Bahri Bar, as Sinay recently launched a new menu of stylish cocktail creations.
“It’s absolutely important for a bartender to have skill and flair. Yes, it’s all about the bar, but we need to showcase our skills as well. At the end of the day we need to be hospitable [and skills behind the bar go a long way].
Judges picked Areia Pool Bar’s Sanjay Fernandez as the highly commended nominee in this category. A list of all the shortlisted nominees can be found here.
MMI’s Andi Senton presented the award to Sinay on stage.
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