From hundreds of bartenders to a lucky few, the results are in, and Hard Rock’s most talented bartenders from around the world are one step closer to becoming the company’s 2014 Global BARocker Champion.
On Jan. 19, Hard Rock International will host the final round of the bartending showdown as part of its annual Global Conference at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
Following several qualifying battle rounds against Hard Rock’s finest mixologists, and a preliminary elimination round consisting of pour tests, speed drills, recipe knowledge, and working flair, eight bartenders will move on to the ultimate live face-off and vie for the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to one of Hard Rock’s resort properties and have their original drink featured on Hard Rock’s beverage menu for a limited time.
“Mixology is a craft, and Hard Rock’s high-quality beverage menu wouldn’t be what it is today without our incredible bartenders bringing the drink creations to life at each cafe,” says Cindy Busi, worldwide director of beverage for Hard Rock International.
Bartenders from Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Las Vegas, Manchester, Florence, Madrid, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Tenerife, Lima, and Punta Cana will represent Hard Rock in the final phases of the competition, taking place on Sunday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
During the preliminary elimination round, 13 contestants will be evaluated on several key components including recipe knowledge, pour testing, accuracy, speed and flair. The top eight scores from the qualifying round will advance to the showmanship round, which will be judged by a panel of industry experts including Philip Raimondo, National Accounts Manager for Beam Suntory; Dean Serneels and Doug Clarke of American Beverage Marketers; Brian Loukmas, Master Mixologist from Bacardi; and Tony Garcia, Director of Research and Development for Patrick Henry Creative Promotions.
Hard Rock Cafe’s extensive, award-winning drinks menu includes Hurricanes, margaritas, signature favorites, and alcohol-free beverages, all available in souvenir glassware.
In 2014, Hard Rock rolled out a new beverage menu to put itself at the forefront of drink innovation, capitalize on industry trends, and introduce new drink serving vessels and techniques to its guests. Hard Rock remixed its drink lineup and developed more than 150 drinks in key areas, including tiki, coffee, dessert, mojitos, margaritas, lemonades, multi liquor teas, and more.
