Galvin Cup 2012 winner cites “inner peace” as secret

Pedro Paulo, a Portuguese bartender from London’s One Aldwych, has won the sixth annual Galvin’s Cup, held last month at London’s Syon Park Hotel.

The annual competition brought together 30 bartenders from across the UK (including one contestant from the Channel Islands) to battle for the title, trophy and £1,000 prize.

Competitors were given 10 minutes in which to make two cocktails – a Negroni using Beefeater Gin and a vermouth and bitter of their choice as well as any cocktail with a Beefeater Gin base.

The 30 contestants were split into three teams and were judged by a panel made up of journalists, brand ambassadors, technical judges and UKBG officers. The top two of each group then made it through to the final where competitors had to make a cocktail using a selection of mystery ingredients, which included Chivas Regal 12, Mumm Champagne, a selection liquors and cordials, limes, oranges, lemons, and a handful of assorted herbs.

Paulo’s two cocktails were the Iron Lady – a blend of gin, lychee and Earl Grey tea foam – and the Royal Eugene, made in memory of his late father, which eventually won him the competition.

“I think what gave me the edge was my inner peace,” explained Paulo. “I couldn’t believe when they called my name for the final six, but after that I wasn’t worried with winning or losing, instead I was focused on doing a good presentation and a good drink that would make my friends and family proud of me. The rest came naturally. It was very close, all of the finalists were amazing, but in the end I was fortunate enough to win.”

The final six were:

1st Pedro Paulo from One Aldwych,
2nd Nathan Merriman from The American Bar Savoy (Young Bartender of the year winner)
3rd Paolo Bani From The Rib Room Bar,
4th Jack Charlton (no not the football legend) from The Colony Club Park Lane
5th Vendula Stoklasova, The Connaught Bar,
6th Matteo Corsalini, Restaurant 34,
The Best Technical prize went to Paolo Bani The Rib Room Bar.