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Havana Club names finalists for Bar Entrepreneur Awards
Pernod Ricard has revealed the finalists in its Havana Club Bar Entrepreneurs Awards, which celebrates the people behind leading bars around the world.
The Havana Club Bar Entrepreneur of the Year title will be awarded to an on-trade entrepreneur next month
The 11 finalists from six different countries will head to Havana in Cuba from 21-24 May in a bid to win the Havana Club Bar Entrepreneur of the Year title.
The finalists were selected after impressing judges with inspirational stories about their businesses and the impact they have had on their careers.
The winner will be given a tailored prize to boost their profile within the drinks and business communities.
Other awards on offer during the final include ‘Innovator’, a special recognition for the most exciting and successful innovation; ‘One to Watch’, focussed on up-and-coming talent under the age of 30; and ‘Against all Odds’, a special award for an entrepreneur who has overcome challenges in their life or career.
The judging panel includes: Rhys Oldfield, co-founder of UK-based bar chain Be at One; Juan Valls, founder of FIBAR; Ara Carvallo, founder of Barra Mexico; and business owners John Coe, Rasmus Lomborg and Tess Posthummus.
Nick Blacknell, global marketing director at Havana Club International, said: “We congratulate the finalists and we welcome them in Cuba – we are excited to hear their successful business stories first hand and to share with them Havana Club’s shared passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. We wish them luck for the grand finale in Cuba.”
The 11 finalists are:
- Alastair Burgess, Happiness Forgets, Original Sin and Petit Pois Bistro, UK
- Bek Narzi, Pachamama Restaurant Group, UK (originally from Russia)
- Carina Soto Velasquez, Candelaria, Glass, Le Mary Celeste, Hero and Les Grands Verres, France
- Emanuel Minez, Red Frog and Monkey Mash, Portugal
- JJ Goodman, London Cockail Club, UK
- Julien Escot, Aperture and Baton Rouge, France
- Kelsey Ramage, Trash Tiki, Canada
- Richard Wynne, Callooh Callay, UK
- Rosie Stimpson, Oriole bar, Nightjar and Swift, UK
- Stephan Hinz, Little Link, Germany
- Thanos Prounarous, Baba au Rum, Greece