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Bacardi Global Brand Ambassador Marc Plumridge (back) and Bacardi Travel Retail Brand Ambassador Matt Tiddes (front) prepare a Tropical Breeze Martini for the VIP judges at the fifth Bacardi Cruise Competition in Miami |
US. The Bacardi Cruise Competition hosted its fifth VIP judging event in Miami to select the Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Bacardi Chef of the Year from five cocktail and five culinary finalists.
Attending the 15 January event were cruise line executives, including Holland America Line’s Master Chef, Rudi Sodamin, a category winner from the First Bacardi Cruise Competition, who was recently named Best Cruise Line Master Chef by Porthole Cruise Magazine.
Cocktail specialists, culinary experts and media were also in attendance.
Said Bacardi Travel Retail Americas Vice President José Chao: “More than 900 entries were submitted this year, the most received out of all Bacardi Cruise Competitions to date; a true testament to its growing popularity and profound impact on the cruise and ferry industry worldwide.
“The new brand-specific cocktail categories encouraged bartenders to produce inspired creations; winning recipes incorporated Bacardi 8 and Dewar’s White Label – a first for this competition – and innovative ingredients, such as Earl Grey tea.
“The new regional culinary categories reflected a global trend in onboard cuisine – seafood,” he noted.
The Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Bacardi Chef of the Year will be announced in March at a private function.
Cash scholarships of US$5,000, presented by the Marine Hotel Association, will be awarded to the Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Bacardi Chef of the Year; US$500 to the ten category winners.
The winning recipes featuring Bacardi’s portfolio will be offered onboard ships for the 2011 sailing season.
Cocktail category winners: Bacardi Cocktail: Infinity – Greger V. Lindberg, Viking Line, inspired by Bacardi 8 Rum; Bombay Sapphire Cocktail: Elderphire – Christopher Chudley, Royal Caribbean International, inspired by Bombay Sapphire Gin; Dewar’s Cocktail: Slimmer – Alex Zubeldia, Costa Cruises, inspired by Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch Whisky; Grey Goose Cocktail: Tropical Breeze – Martini Dan Linley, Holland America, Line, inspired by Grey Goose Vodka; Signature Cocktail: Berrini – Renata M. Chedid, Carnival Cruise Lines, inspired by Grey Goose Vodka and Bacardi Razz Flavoured Rum.
Culinary category winners: Spanish dish – Omar Catulo, Holland America Line, Bacardi Limon Ceviche Shots, inspired by Bacardi Limon Flavoured Rum; French – Noxeke Thanduxolo, Royal Caribbean International, Bacardi Razz Poached Crayfish with Cucumber Cheese Roulade, inspired by Bacardi Razz Flavoured Rum; Chinese – Alexius Del Rosario, Brilliance of the Seas, Grey Goose Yellow Fin Tuna, inspired by Grey Goose Vodka; American – Emerlito Lago, Queen Victoria, Bacardi Limon Touched Maine Lobster Tail, inspired by Bacardi Limon Flavoured Rum; Italian – Nair Ajayakumar Balakrishnan Nair, Carnival Cruise Lines, Martini Braised Basa Fillet with Tomato, Chili and Fennel, inspired by Martini Extra Dry Vermouth and Bombay Sapphire Gin.
For details, visit www.bacardicruisecompetition.com
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