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UKBG names Young Bartender 2015 champion
The UK Bartenders’ Guild (UKBG) and sponsor Bénédictine Liqueur have crowned Kelly Harrison, from Coast to Coast, the Young Bartender of the Year 2015.
UKBG Young Bartender of the Year 2015 winner, Kelly Harrison, alongside UKBG London chairman, Mike Sweetman.
A group of 10 bartenders made it through to the final, which was held on 29 September at The Red Bar, Grosvenor House, London.
The participants – all under the age of 28 – were competing for the top prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to the BA Elite Bar School in Estonia.
Harrison’s “Ad Moira Alexander” was the winning cocktail, a tribute to the French origins of the base liqueur. Described as a “delicate mix”, the cocktail comprises Bénédictine, orange liqueur, double cream, ginger syrup and chocolate bitters, with a chocolate orange rim and garnish of twisted orange peel.
The Connaught’s Enrico Gonzato came second with “Le Grand Sour” and wins a place on the WSET Professional Bartending Course. Kristaps Freimanis from Hix Mayfair at Brown’s Hotel came third with his “Somerset Monk Sour”.
Gonzato also scooped the Best Technical Award for his “exceptional bartending ability”, while Tommo Quy, from Capain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch, received a special mention for scoring highest in the competition’s written test.
The UKBG’s Young Bartender of the Year competition comprises three parts: a multiple choice written paper; a blind tasting of five products from the William Grant portfolio; and creating individual cocktails using at least 35ml Bénédictine.
“The UKBG Young Bartender of the Year competition is always a real indicator of ‘ones to watch’ in the industry, and once again its been an absolute pleasure to have been involved this year,” said Paul Curry, Bénédictine brand manager.
“Bénédictine’s unique flavour is a great ingredient for cocktails, and as such we were expecting some really exciting creations – we were not disappointed!
“Thank you to everyone at the UKBG, in particular Mike Sweetman, London area chairman, and Tom Elms Photography for making the competition such a great success. Lastly, congratulations to Kelly and thanks to all our finalists for some very special Bénédictine cocktails!”