Bombay Sapphire is delighted to announce that, once again, it is challenging bartenders across the globe to create world class and imaginative cocktails in the 2014 Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender Cocktail Competition. Now in its second year, this year’s UK and Ireland Final will take place on Wednesday 26th February at Shoreditch House.
The competition sees 70 bartenders being invited to create two serves as part of a qualifying stage; submitting a signature Bombay Sapphire serve and their own re-imagined twist on the Bombay Sapphire Ultimate Gin & Tonic. Only 15 will go on to showcase their serves and compete against one another in the Semi-Final, which will celebrate the power of imagination in the UK’s cocktail community. Of the 15, just five will go through to the UK and Ireland Final, where one bartender will secure a place to represent the UK at the 2014 Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender Cocktail Competition Global Final, taking place in London in June 2014.
The UK and Ireland Final will be judged by last year’s UK winner, Joe Wild of Berry and Rye in Liverpool. Joe will be joined by guest judge Simon Rogan, one of the most accomplished and well respected chefs in the UK. Renowned for his restaurant L’Enclume, which recently topped the list of the UK’s best restaurants, Simon Rogan will also be taking over the restaurant at Claridge’s this Spring. Completing the judging panel will be Global Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador Raj Nagra and Bombay Sapphire UK Brand Ambassador Sean Ware.
Bombay Sapphire UK Brand Ambassador Sean Ware commented: “We are very excited by this year’s Cocktail Competition. We are recruiting some of the most up-and-coming creative talents from across the industry so getting to the Global Final will be no easy feat. The competition will not only challenge the competitors, but just as the unique taste of Bombay Sapphire is inspired by the infusion of its 10 exotic botanicals, it will inspire the next generation of young bartenders all over the world. We look forward to seeing who will be representing the UK in the global final!”