Imperial Collection Vodka Best Bartender Competition 2013 at the Maddox Club

Yesterday, the exclusive Mill Street club played host to the Best Bartender Competition 2013. The event, sponsored by Imperial Gold Vodka, hoped to find the best bartender in London, with the winner to be announced at the glamorous London Club and Bar Awards next month.

Many budding bartenders from some of London’s most prestigious nightlife venues applied and were whittled down to a shortlist of twenty-five, with only sixteen candidates competing on the day for the covetable title.

Competitors were given a brief to create a cocktail worthy of serving to Barack Obama and it seemed that everyone had risen to the challenge. High quality ingredients, lavish presentation and amazing flavours proved that these mixologists are definitely at the top of their game.

Goran Svilar of Signature Lifestyles, a sponsor of the awards, was impressed with the talent being showcased: “From the moment it started, the way they have prepared themselves, how much thought they have put into it, I thought that was very impressive.”

The hopeful competitors were judged on the taste of the cocktail, the garnish and presentation, their knowledge of the ingredients and also how they presented themselves. Judging the competition was a panel of industry experts and members of the press, including a journalist from the Evening Standard and the Vice President of the Union of Bartenders.

The competition certainly showed just how creative bartending can be, with one contender serving his cocktail inside a Russian doll to complement his take on the Bloody Mary cocktail. Another competitor, Billy from Indian cocktail bar Zenna, created the St Petersburg Punch with an unusual combination of chai tea, apple juice, vodka and coffee liqueur.

The winner will be announced at the London Club and Bar Awards on 4^th June at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Laura McLeish

 For further information on the London Club and Bar Awards visit here.

 For further information about the Maddox Club visit here.