Want to win $10,000 and a trip to the beautiful island of St Martin? If so then the Domaine De Canton World Cocktail Competition is for you.
Last year the UK representative – in the form of Stu Fritz of Lab Bar fame – took home the top prize at the world finals and netted himself a stonking $10,000. With this year’s entry deadline fast approaching, Stu is recommending it as a competition for you all to enter:
“The Domaine de Canton competition is a unique experience for competitors from the United Kingdom. It was a chance to see the styles and trends developing from our neighbours west of the Atlantic.
The superb setting on the exotic island of French Saint Martin, coupled with mystical flavours and spices of Domain de Canton liqueur, sets the dramatic scene for a once in a lifetime experience. Last year was the UK’s first participation and victory, so the standard has been set – will the crown return home in this Ryder Cup like challenge?
Let us also not forget the ultimate prize – $10,000!!! Come on fellow bartenders, what are you waiting for? I will see you out there as a scrutinising judge…”
The competition will be judged over 3 rounds. Round 1 will judge drinks being served and promoted in venues. The 12 most successful venues will then be selected to nominate a bartender to enter Round 2 which will be an original cocktail round. The winner of this will then go on to compete in Round 3 which is the International Final taking place in St Martin this summer.
To enter all you have to do is send an e-mail confirming you are taking part along with your Domaine De Canton drink name and recipe to declan@specialitybrands.com before the 10th February.
The drink needs to be promoted through your venue for three months and the judging of this round will be based on the cocktails taste, name and presentation along with how well the drink is communicated in the venue along with bonus marks for driving awareness of the cocktail.
For further details on the rules click here
We will leave the final words of inspiration to Stu, apart from these – come on UK, bring the trophy back to our shores:
“In the finals, a drink was to be created on the day using the provided ingredients – including fruits and spirituous products. 3 pools of 5 bartenders competed in the first round.
The top from each pool went through to the finals, and the following two bartenders with the highest scores from all pools went through as wild cards. The final 5 bartenders then had to concoct another libation using a mystery box set of ingredients as the garnish.
No unique glassware was allowed, nothing could be brought from home except you bar kit, knowledge (important), banter and skills. A strong liver is also required to keep up with the social antics. It was definitely a competition that I am proud to have entered and ultimately achieved victory, for myself and the UK.”