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Maxim Schulte triumphs at Beefeater MIXLDN 7
Following the grand final in London, Maxim Schulte has been named as the winner of the Beefeater MIXLDN 7 Global Cocktail Competition.
Maxim Schulte has been crowned champion of this year’s MIXLDN competition
At the final, hosted at The Bike Shed in Shoreditch yesterday (8 February), the top eight bartenders recreated their signature cocktails once more, with members of the public given the chance to taste the creations and vote for their favourite.
Schulte, who represented Hong Kong, walked away with the title of MIXLDN 7 champion after judges said that he “consistently delivered throughout the competition, particularly impressing with his flair and tenacity.”
He said: “Being named as the Global Champion of Beefeater MIXLDN is a real honour and definitely a highlight in my career.”
Schulte said that his creation, Stack of Fortune, was inspired by Macau’s reputation as the Las Vegas of Asia.
Alongside Schulte, the eight finalists included Jason Griffin from Canada, Maxime Verrier from Norway, Patryk Kowalski from Poland, Alexander Walker from the UK, Jason Seele from the USA, Margarita Dimova from Bulgaria and Miroslav Telehanič from Slovakia.
The judging panel for the competition included Difford’s Guide editor Simon Difford, Ryan Chetiyawardana of Dandelyan, Doug McMaster of Cub, Alessandro Palazzi of Duke’s Bar, Sumaiyah Connolly, Beefeater global brand ambassador, and Desmond Payne MBE, Beefeater master distiller.
Payne said: “This year’s Beefeater MIXLDN experience has hugely impressed me. The creativity amongst bartenders today is second to none and it reflects the broader trend we’re seeing that every cocktail has its own narrative and story.
“Passion like this continues to drive the industry forward and the profession of bartending is being seen in a new light. I congratulate Maxim for being in the vanguard of this movement that has flourished in my 50 years. He has set the bar high for next year’s competition.”
Schulte will now have the opportunity to work with Payne to create his own expression of Beefeater gin, he said: “I’ve already got some ideas up my sleeve for my limited-edition gin and I’m looking forward to being able to learn from a legend like Desmond Payne.”
Ahead of the competition, SB caught up with Beefeater global brand ambassador, Sumaiyah Connolly.