Local Mixologist Wins Shot at International Recognition in Field
During the Semi-finals on Sunday, September 8 at PURE Nightclub Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, the Top 10 finalists were announced including cities: Miami, New York, Las Vegas, Tampa, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Austin, LA, Omaha and Seattle (see below for top ten finalists and accounts where they work). On September 9, the national finals took place at LIGHT Nightclub in Mandalay Bay. After careful deliberation by an esteemed panel of judges including — Bombay Sapphire Global Brand Ambassador, Raj Nagra, master mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador, Gary Hayward and special guest judge for the evening, Celebrity Chef Tom Colicchio — Julio’s “Queen Victoria” was announced as this year’s “Most Imaginative” Bombay Sapphire cocktail. Julio’s winning cocktail has landed him a feature cover on GQ Magazine’s special December “Men of the Year” issue and will advance him to the global finals in London 2014 to vie for the ultimate title: Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender.
Ned Duggan, Brand Director of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, the presenting sponsor of the search, adds, “Continuing to expand the reach of the USBG Bartender competition across oceans after six successful years in the U.S is an exciting move for the program.”
Taking Las Vegas will be no easy feat, however, as the USBG will be conducting a highly comprehensive search around the country this summer to discover the best new and imaginative creations from the next generation of mixology stars. USBG will visit various, world-renowned restaurants to dim and intimate members-only clubs to taste-test each selected city’s contending cocktails.
During the Las Vegas summit, one mixologist will be selected as the nation’s “USBG Most Imaginative Bartender,” resulting in a cover feature in the December 2013 GQ magazine “Men of The Year” issue. The winner will also be a guest bartender at the GQ Man of the Year event in Los Angeles and will attend the Global Finals in 2014. This exciting global recognition program has encouraged mixologists everywhere to push the boundaries of an already rapidly evolving cocktail culture to its greatest potential yet. This year, the top mixologist selected from the Las Vegas Summit will once again have the exclusive opportunity to represent the US during the Global Bartender Summit in 2014.
In its seventh year running, the USBG Most Imaginative Bartender search has become a pillar in the industry. With the program having increased from 240 entries and 16 cities at its inception to 1,500 bartenders and 37 cities today, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and the USBG are thrilled to be able to continue spotlighting undiscovered talent around the world.
About the USBG
The United States Bartenders’ Guild is an organization of beverage service professionals dedicated to the continued refinement of our craft. Such refinement is achieved through advanced product education; original hand crafted cocktail competitions; and aggressive involvement with other professionals in the beverage industry throughout the country and internationally. It is our intention, desire and main focus to become the most skilled, knowledgeable and professional group of bartenders in the industry. Above all, the United States Bartenders’ Guild supports and promotes well-informed, responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages.
About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin is the fastest growing premium gin in the world and world’s number one premium gin by value. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is created with a unique combination of ten hand-selected botanicals, sourced from around the globe. The brand’s global essence and signature vapor infusion process impart a refined and perfectly balanced taste, versatile enough for both classic cocktails and exotic recipes. INF– USED WITH IMAGINATION, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is a symbol of the exploration of worldly and sophisticated lifestyles. For more information, please explore www.bombaysapphire.com.
