Billing wins second UKBG women’s competition

The Looking Glass Cocktail Club’s Georgia Billing has won the top prize at the UK Bartenders Guild’s (UKBG) second all-female cocktail competition, sponsored by Snow Queen Vodka.

The UKBG has now held two women-only cocktail competitions

Entrants were required to create and present an original cocktail made using Snow Queen Vodka.

Billing’s Firebird was named best in show, winning her a £500 cheque, a large Snow Queen Vodka hamper and a range of Double Dutch tonics.

Second place was Maria-Antonietta Varamo from The Duke’s Hotel, London, with her cocktail, Camille Violet. She won a £300 cheque, a medium Snow Queen Vodka and a range of Double Dutch tonics.

Barrio Bar Birmingham’s Sophie Mackay placed third, with her cocktail Sno-nut. She won a smaller Snow Queen Vodka hamper, and some Double Dutch tonics.

The 2016 edition saw 22 bartenders from across the UK take part.

Initially founded in 2014, the UKBG Ladies Competition was introduced in partnership with Bloom Gin to encourage more female bartenders to enter competitions.

“The UKBG is an old established organisation, which I am afraid to say has the stigma of being an old boys club,” said vice president, Mike Sweetman.

“I am trying to change this and make it more modern, getting new bartenders to get involved.”

The next UKBG competition is the Galvin Cup, set to take place in London on 20 June.