Bartenders around the UAE are polishing up their flairing skills in preparation for the national qualifier for this year’s Skyy Flair Global Challenge.
The Emirates’ regional heat, set to take place on Sunday August 16 at CHI at The Lodge in Dubai, will see bartenders wowing the judges with their flairing — the art of bar entertainment through the manipulation and juggling of bar tools such as cocktail shakers and bottles.
Regional heat winners from 15 different countries will ultimately go on to the Global Challenge finals in Shanghai in October, to compete for one of the most sought-after bar titles in the world.
The Global Challenge, now entering its third year, was developed by SKYY Vodka in conjunction with the World Flair Association (WFA).
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Lionel Boutry, regional manager — Middle East for SKKY Vodka’s parent brand Gruppo Campari, explained: “Throughout the competition, bartenders will be judged on their ability to create world-beating cocktails, perform spectacular bartending routines and demonstrate skill and knowledge in relation to the art of flair.
"The Challenge was created to 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 continued.
“With the rise in popularity of cocktails across the world, SKYY Vodka 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.”
There is also another reason for UAE bartenders to get excited: the upcoming national qualifier will occur in conjunction with Dubai’s biggest bar industry party, ‘Shakers & Makers’, organised by MMI.
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