11 local bartenders face the Hennessy Challenge
Eleven Northern Irish bartenders have been named as finalists in the Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge which will see them compete to win a prestigious training scholarship with the world’s most iconic cognac brand.
The eleven finalists in the Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge are;
- Adam Mark, The National Grande Café
- Ashley Williamson, The Cloth Ear
- Dominic Armstrong, FitzwilliaM Hotel Belfast
- Francesca Dalton, Miel et Moi
- Ian McCandless, The Northern Whig
- Nathaniel McAuley, Muriel’s Café Bar
- Roisin McErlean, The Albany
- Frankie Cosgrove, Sixty6
- Nicole Kane, The Merchant Hotel
- Patrick Graham, The Albany
- Ryan Adair, The Merchant Hotel
The Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge has been created by drinks company, Dillon Bass – owners of the Hennessy brand in Northern Ireland – to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the cognac. The competition final will take place on August 18 in Robinson and Cleaver, Belfast, where three of the 11 finalists will be crowned with the prestigious status of being named a Hennessy Connoisseur and will receive an impressive prize package courtesy of Dillon Bass.
The prize package will include a VIP trip to Cognac to visit Maison Hennessy and Chateau Bagnolet, where they will receive one-on-one training, including a tasting with Hennessy’s master blender, a bespoke training session with an Ambassadeur de la Maison Hennessy, tickets to a special Hennessy 250 dinner and the opportunity to have their signature drinks showcased by the brand. An overall winner will also get the opportunity to attend the Hennessy Art of Mixology event in Cognac in September.
An international judging panel, including Vincent Borjon-Prive from Hennessy and Swanand Korgaonkar, head bartender at The Berkeley Hotel, London, will put the 11 bartenders through their paces, assessing them on two signature Hennessy drinks, as well as product knowledge and personality to champion the brand.
Commenting on the Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge, Joanne O’Hagan, marketing manager at Dillon Bass, said that the brand was excited to offer local bartenders the opportunity to become part of the worldwide celebrations:
“Our Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge has been designed to discover Northern Ireland’s finest and most talented mixologists, who can embody the spirit of Hennessy and the 11 finalists have been handpicked because they have outstanding mixing qualities, product knowledge and a passion for Hennessy,” she added. “The winners will receive a once in a lifetime immersive training experience that money can’t buy.”
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