X-Tremely successful comeback for bar flair comp

Jay Rufino demonstrates the moves that made him an X-Treme Flair winner.

Hancock also revealed that the SKYY Flair Global Challenge would come to Dubai later this year — “probably in August”.
 
“For this event, there is a different qualifying heat held in each country and the winner for each region will get to go to the Grand Finals in Shanghai,” he explained.

“They’re holding one in Dubai this year, so there will be some big contenders taking part in that.”

Lionel Boutry, regional manager — Middle East for SKYY Vodka’s parent brand Gruppo Campari, said the company’s passion for the art of flair was “born from its commitment to quality, individualism and creating the best cocktails and bar experiences possible”.

“With a sleek, irreverent style of its own and its super-premium quality, SKYY Vodka is the perfect accompaniment to the most talented and unique bartenders and cocktails,” he added.

Boutry labelled the X-Treme Flair competition as “key for the flair community in the UAE”.

“SKYY Vodka is proud to be sponsor of this event, to support and reward the best of the flair bartending community, while making this growing sport more accessible by highlighting the glamour, spectacle and skill of flair,” he said.

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“With the rise in popularity of cocktails across the world, SKYY is passionate about raising the standard and quality of cocktail and bar experiences — and the art of flair is an important part of this enjoyment.”

Boutry said this year’s competition was “extremely well organised” and that he had been “very impressed by the level of the contestants and their motivation”.

”The final was great — we saw some unbelievable moves,” he added.

“The contestants trained a lot for this event and it shows the passion they have about their job. I want to thank them for their commitment.”

According to Boutry, the main challenge facing the UAE’s flairing industry is that it needs more support and communication.

“But through key bartender associations, such as MASTAH, the local WFA representative and the commitment of the distributors like MMI, the Flair industry will definitely put Dubai on the map in 2009,” he predicted.

Monin MEI brand manager Tihomir Gergov, who was one of the judges at the event, was similarly delighted by both the turn-out and the flairing standard.