Gabriel Boudier unveils competition finalists
Emporia Brands has revealed the regional winners of this year’s Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award competition in the UK, who will head to Dijon for the final round.
Following 260 registrations, five UK bartenders have earned their places in the grand final, which will be hosted at the Gabriel Boudier distillery in Dijon, France.
In Dijon, the finalists will present their original liqueur recipes and signature serves to the ‘master liqueur wizards’.
The champion will receive a £1,000 (US$1,300) prize, and their winning recipe will be developed for a 2025 release as part of Gabriel Boudier’s Bartender Liqueur range.
The regional finals, held across three key UK cities, showcased the creativity and passion of the bartending community. Competitions took place in Edinburgh at Raging Bull for the Scottish final, The Mavern in Leeds for the North/Midlands final, and at Laki Kane in London for the South final.
Each participant delivered presentations of their bespoke liqueur recipes, paired with both signature and simple serves.
Taking home the crown at the Scotland heat, Ben Jones displayed his Amchoor liqueur. Cameron Chapman, with his Porcini Mushroom liqueur, was awarded in the Midlands and North regional heat – sharing the win with Luca Zani and his Mangosteen liqueur.
Two bartenders were also crowned in the brand’s London and South regional finals: Ashley Haines with Sweet Woodruff liqueur and Henry Woodgate for Crème de Miso liqueur.
Jack Rackham, managing director at Emporia Brands and a judge at Gabriel Boudier Wizard, commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible interest in this year’s competition. The five winners truly distinguished themselves in their heats, demonstrating exceptional innovative liqueur ideas and the expertise to turn those ideas into reality, both in their neat liqueurs and their two serves.
“I wish them all the best of luck in the grand final at Boudier in February, which promises to be a particularly special event as it coincides with Boudier’s 150-year anniversary celebrations.”
Earlier this year, Gabriel Boudier launched the 2023-winning turmeric liqueur created by Leicester bartender Xander Driver.
Related news
El Dorado crowns Heritage Cocktail Competition winner
