Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition brings out some of the best ideas and creativity from bartenders all around Florida.
This Tuesday, Sweet Liberty held the regional of the competition, which included competitors from all around Florida. The interesting part is that guests not only get to see the bartenders present their cocktails and inspiration but also get to taste their concoctions and vote for a People’s Choice.
The winner, voted by judges, gets whisked away to Bombay Sapphire’s home to compete in yet another competition to represent the region. Judges included Raj Nagra (Global Ambassador), Gary Hayward (Emcee and National Ambassador), Justin Lavenue (2015’s Most Imaginative Bartender) as well as two blind judges, USBG President, Marita Leonard and USBG member Isaac Grillo (Repour).
Competitors are judged on appearance (8 pts.), aroma (4 pts.), imagination (7 pts.), taste (15 pts.), and overall impression (4 pts.). Obviously there are big numbers on appearance and taste, but imagination also plays a big role and the competitors did not disappoint!
Courtesy of Chris Fierro
The showcase is one of the most highly respected and rigorous competitions in the industry with different activities and tasks given to bartenders to complete to find out who is the Most Imaginative Bartender. This has changed bartenders lives all over the world.
Brenda Terry, 2016’s Most Imaginative Bartender (South Regionals)
This year’s winner was none other than last year’s regional winner, Brenda Terry from Fodder & Shine (Tampa). She will join other regional finalists in Laverstoke, England, the home to Bombay Sapphire, to compete for Most Imaginative Bartender! As for people’s choice, crowd favorite was Will Rivas from Macchialina (Miami Beach)!
People’s Choice Winner (South Region), Will Rivas.
And here is the winning cocktail:
Winning cocktail by Brenda Terry. Photo courtesy of Gary Hayward.
Congrats to Florida for bringing some amazing competitors to once again showcase their imagination with an amazing platform in Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition. We will follow this one closely as Brenda tries once again to go for the national title of Most Imaginative Bartender!