UK bartender wins Bols Around the World 2013
Rusty Cerven from the UK has been named the winner of the 2013 Bols Around the World Bartending Championships.
Rusty Cerven from London’s The Connaught Bar is Bols Around the World 2013 championFrom over 3,000 entries across 66 countries, the Slovakia-born Connaught Bar bartender impressed judges with his original punch-style cocktail ‘Vivien Spanish’, at the global final held at the Escape club in Amsterdam last night (08 May).
Following closely behind with just 0.6% difference in marks, was Italian Ciro de Georgio from Dvars, Amsterdam for Holland, while Mateusz Szuchnik from Pies Czy Suka Pure Bar, Pogorzel, for Poland came in third.
With a requirement to create a cocktail inspired by his country’s culture and heritage, Cerven chose to create a Bols Genever-based punch with homemade lemon sherbet, rhubarb juice, parfait amour and Champagne as a tribute to the English and Dutch sailors of the 18th century.
Prior to appearing on the stage at the glamorous world final, the 12 finalists were required to create a video to promote their cocktail, as well as undergo an interview by a panel of judges who scrutinised their skills as a bartender.
Explaining why he felt the judges picked him, Cerven said: “It’s all about the personal touches and details. I made a show; you need to be unique and take everything up a level, like a smile, opening the Champagne with a sabre (sabrage) and serving the judges on the table straight from the punchbowl to the cups, even giving them a recipe card to get them to remember me. These small touches play a key role in their decision.”
Cerven wins a trip to five cocktail cities of his choice anywhere in the world, as well as bespoke training and mentoring from the Bols Bartending Academy.
