Miami’s South Beach was the setting for the grand finale in
the quest to crown the Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year 2014. The
six finalists represented the best bartenders in the cruise industry and, for
the first time, the title went to Europe.
Liisi Kütt from Tallink Silja Line in Estonia scooped the
title and top prize of $5,000, plus a trip to Las Vegas to compete in The GQ
Bombay Sapphire USBG Most Imaginative Bartender – one of the most prestigious
competitions in North America for the bartender profession.
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| Liisi Kutt wins the Bacardi Cruise Competition 2014 |
Liisi’s winning cocktail, Summer Fairy, is a blend of Bacardi
Grand Melon, Martini Prosecco, apple juice, fresh lime juice and syrup. The
inspiration for the recipe came from Liisi’s position looking out on the calm
summer seas of the Baltic with a soundtrack in the background from the live
band playing in the bar.
“Summer Fairy is all about being in that magical
moment where summer meets nature and you find yourself lost in time,” said
Liisi.
Now in its ninth year, the Bacardi Cruise Competition kicked
off in February 2014 with competitors from the world’s leading cruise companies
creating their own special infusion to reflect how travel has inspired their
personal style of cocktail making. Their recipes included Grey Goose vodkas,
Martini Prosecco, Bacardi Grand Melon, Bacardi Superior and Bacardi Oakheart. The
St-Germain liqueur brand was also a popular addition.
Enhancing the on board cocktail experience
The finals were judged by Bacardi global brand ambassador Marc
Plumridge, Michael Pasternak of Travel Markets Insider magazine, Colleen
McDaniel of CruiseCritic.com and Julio Cabrera, head bartender at the Regent
Bar at The Gale Hotel and 2013 winner of the USBG Bacardi Most Imaginative
Bartender.
Zachary Sulkes, regional manager of Bacardi Travel Retail
Americas, enthused: “This year, we’ve had tremendous support from our cruise
line partners and the mutual benefits of the competition will continue to grow
as we work together to create standards of excellence in a year-round programme
of activities. The Bacardi Cruise Competition is by far our biggest commitment
in our ambition to enhance the on board cocktail experience for guests with
positive advancements in the on board cocktail experience.”
The other finalists were: Carnival Cruise Lines’ Ioana Luncean, Brian
Bent and Vera Restarovic – People’s Choice from www.cruisecritic.com. Norwegian
Cruise Line’s Joeped Garrido and Allan Garcia completed the six finalists.
