The Master World Flair Bartending Championships at Jungceylon last weekend saw some of the best mixologists battle against one another for cash prizes, with the grand prize winner taking home B80,000.
“I came for a holiday but of course the competition was on my mind during the whole time,” said Finnish competitor Mika Mathewson, who is part of a professional group called VIP Bartenders that won Talent Suomi, the Finnish version of the Got Talent TV show in 2011.
The competition took place at Jungceylon’s Port Arena, the outdoor area in the middle of the Patong mall. Bartenders from all over the world, including Russia, Finland, Poland, USA, England and Thailand, took part in the two-day competition which captivated tourists and expats. Many of the participants who competed have trained for several years and tend bars as their main profession.
“I practiced for eight years and have been bartending for that long in Russia,” said 26-year-old competitor Slava Beliakov.
“I started working in restaurant as a waiter and the first time I saw a flair bartender he was mixing simple elements with ice and glasses. I thought ‘wow’. I started to learn, working with bartenders and it is my life now.”
List of winners:
- World Claire Master Championships category – Mares Posluszny (1st), Tomek Malex (2nd), Alexander Shtifanov (3rd)
- Thailand Flair Championship category – Patthawee Puengpai (1st), Thawa Phetbangkuet (2nd), Kantthapon Prayot (3rd).
- Classic International Mix Master category – Janek Krynicy (1st), Angela (2nd), Jane Keawyod (3rd).