NI bartenders shake up the cocktail scene
David Kennedy (left) from Hennessy Northern Ireland and model, Piaras Smyth launch the Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge.
Northern Irish bartenders are being given a unique chance to win a prestigious training scholarship with the world’s most iconic cognac brand.
The new Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge, launched in Belfast this week, seeks to uncover the movers and shakers in Northern Ireland’s cocktail scene. The exciting new initiative has been created by drinks company, Dillon Bass – owners of the Hennessy brand in Northern Ireland – to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Hennessy.
The prestigious competition, which will take place on August 18 in Belfast, is expected to draw interest from bartenders right across Northern Ireland.
The top three bartenders, chosen on the night, will win an impressive prize package courtesy of Dillon Bass, which includes a VIP all expenses paid 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.
The winners will also receive a bespoke training session in Belfast with an Ambassadeur de la Maison Hennessy for themselves and their colleagues, tickets to special Hennessy 250 dinner in Belfast, as well as the opportunity to have their signature drinks showcased on Hennessy digital platforms. The overall winner will also get the opportunity to attend the Hennessy Art of Mixology event in Cognac in September.
The international judging panel, including Vincent Borjon-Prive from Hennessy and Swanand Korgaonkar, head bartender at The Berkeley Hotel, London will put the bartenders through their paces, assessing them on two signature Hennessy drinks, as well as product knowledge.
One drink should be a classic serve, which would be easy for consumers to replicate at home, the second should be a cocktail serve which can be as complex as the bartender desires.
Both drinks should embody the spirit of the Hennessy 250 celebrations, reflecting the vibrant heritage of Hennessy – one of the world’s leading Cognacs.
Commenting on the launch of the Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge, Karen Anderson, brand manager for Hennessy at Dillon Bass, said: “As we celebrate 250 years of Hennessy, we are excited to offer local bartenders the opportunity to become part of the brand’s global 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. The winners will receive a once in a lifetime immersive training experience that money can’t buy.
“We anticipate that our international judging panel will face a tough task, with such a high standard of bartenders here in Northern Ireland.”
Entries for the Dillon Bass Hennessy Connoisseurs Challenge are open now. Entries can be submitted via email to hennessyni@dillonbass.co.uk. Entries close at midnight Tuesday 28th July 2015. Visit www.dillonbass.co.uk/competition for full terms and conditions.
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