Vertigo Too Bartender Wins Bacardi Competition

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 23, 2016 (travelindex.com) – Bacardi (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. hosted Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition, now in its third edition. It is one of the world largest cocktail competitions, which challenges bartenders to showcase their skills and creativity in whipping up their very own ‘Legacy’ cocktail for the rest of the world to witness. Only one best bartender will represent Thailand in the global round, joining 35 of the world’s top bartenders at The BACARDI Legacy Global Cocktail Competition. Mitchell Kai Lum from Vertigo Too, Bangkok, took home the big prize as the Winner of the Thailand Grand Final. He will represent Thailand in the global round, competing against 35 other contestants at The BACARDI Legacy Global Cocktail Competition in San Francisco, US, April 20th to 26th 2016.

Nielson Hays Library, touted as the most beautiful library in Bangkok, was transformed into a battle ground for top bartenders to showcase their skills, joined by celebrities, VIP guests, and members of the press.

The event was honored by honorable judges who are experts in various fields such as:
– Mr. David Cordoba: The curator of the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, former Global Brand Ambassador for Bacardi rum, , also known as “Mr Daiquiri”, Partner at 28 Hong Kong Bar (ranked #7 bar in the world) and Profolio Director at “Proof & Company Spirits”, Singapore
– Mr. Chanon Purananda, Managing partner/owner at Smith, Hyde & Seek, Peek-a-boo and Scruffy Aprron
– Mr. Suwan Seelee (Tommy), Thailand Winner of Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition 2012 , Head bartender at Horizons
– Mr. Thawatchai Teppitak. Editor of Krungthep Thurakit Newspaper and Wine & Spirit specialist

“PK” Piyawat Kempetch was the MC of the event, and kept the atmosphere colorful throughout the night. In the final round, five finalists tried their best to win the heart of the judges among loud cheers from the crowd. The only female contestant Wareewan Yodkamol from Vesper made her special cocktail The Little Wings, followed by a bartender from Vertigo Too, Banyan Tree Bangkok, Mitchell Kai Lum and his drink Haole. Next up was Hideyuki Saito from Vogue Lounge and his drink Quintus, before Sebastian De La Cruz took the spotlight with his drink The Expat. Wrapping up the competition was Sarawut Pinpech from Bamboo Bar and his drink The Serenity. Mitchell Kai Lum from Vertigo Too won the prestigious prize as Thailand’s Winner, and he will represent Thailand in the global round, competing against contestants from 35 countries, in San Francisco, US.

Mitchell Kai Lum, the winner of Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition 2016, bartender at Vertigo Too, Banyan Tree, won the prize with his drink Haole. He said, “I am very happy and proud to win this prize as I’ve always dreamed of. Over the past eight months of the competition, from the first day I decided to join, through the selection process into the final round, I had worked hard and improved my skills intensively, especially in the past three months. I learned new techniques and skills in workshops with world-class mixologists such as Peter Chua, Shingo Gokan, Luca Cinalli and Kamil Foltan. I also learned about the marketing side so I could promote my special cocktail at my bar and other bars and create an online presence to invite people to try them. It took a lot of dedication, patience, and strength to get here today, but it’s all worth it. My life will change forever. I want to thank Bacardi for organizing such a good activity to elevate the status of Thai bartenders in the global scene, taking bartending in Thailand to an international level. I also want to thank my supporters, all the mixologists who have guided us in this competition, and my fellow contestants. I promise that I will work hard and prepare myself as much as I can in order to represent Thailand on the global stage in San Francisco during April 20-26. I will take home the prize. Wish me luck!”

The Global Final on Sunday April 24 will conclude four days in San Francisco during which the group of talented bartenders from around the world will have participated in a schedule of events, rubbing shoulders with some of the true legends of the bartending world. BACARDI will host the finalists at a range of educational workshops tailored to hone their skills, before they present their own original interpretation of a modern BACARDI Legacy cocktail in the competition. When they come together for the Global Final in San Francisco their new creations will be judged by a panel of highly respected mixologists and spirits experts looking for a cocktail that offers perfectly balanced ingredients, a timeless taste and preserves the spirit of the classic style of BACARDI rum.

“BACARDI Legacy is one of the world’s largest cocktail competitions and is a truly unique event that welcomes bartenders and industry colleagues into the BACARDI family,” says Fabio Di Giammarco, Global Vice President for BACARDI rum. “We are excited to invite this hugely talented pool of mixologists to San Francisco for the culmination of their year’s worth of work, hustling to perfect and promote their unique ‘Legacy’ cocktail. While only one will walk away with the title; the friendships formed, camaraderie and long-term commitment from BACARDI to help fuel the passion within each and every bartender taking part, is the true legacy of this prestigious event.”

The BACARDI LEGACY Global Cocktail Competition recognizes and nurtures the talent of passionate, innovative bar professionals. The winner’s reward will be truly unique. BACARDI will offer year-long support to further their career by creating experiences tailored to meet their goals – providing them with opportunities to travel, work with the industry’s best and serve their original ‘Legacy’ cocktail at some of the finest bars in the world.

About Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition
The Bacardi Legacy is a global competition that challenges the best contemporary bartenders in the world to create balanced, refreshing, appealing and enduring drinks that will become part of the illustrious BACARDI Cocktail Legacy alongside classics such as The Original BACARDI Daiquiri and The Original BACARDI Mojito. The competition recognizes and nurtures the talent of passionate, innovative bar professionals. The winner’s reward will be truly unique. Bacardi will offer year-long support to further their career by creating experiences tailored to meet their goals – providing them with opportunities to travel, work with the industry’s best and serve their original ‘Legacy’ cocktail at some of the finest bars in the world.

About BACARDI Rum – The world’s favorite and most awarded rum
In 1862, Bacardi revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum. The unique taste of BACARDI inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world’s most famous drink recipes including the Mojito, the Daiquiri, the Cuba Libre, the Piña Colada, and the Presidente. BACARDI rums have won more than 550 awards for quality and taste making BACARDI the world’s most awarded rum. Today, BACARDI is produced mainly in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo Bacardí Massó – crafted in a five-step distillation process, mellowed in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

The BACARDI brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.bacardi.com

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