Lucas Bols today kicked off its eighth annual Bols Around the World competition seeking to discover the world’s most visionary bartender. The Grand Final will be held on May 20, 2014 and, for the first time, will be streamed live from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The contest, which has the widest reach of all major global bartending competitions, incorporates new features to help bartenders further their careers, such as a digital portfolio for all contestants.
Bols is looking for bartenders who dare to be visionaries, who are not afraid to take risks, challenge the status quo, and set new rules. Competitors are invited to develop a new drink concept, a twist on an existing trend, a fusion of trends, or develop a completely new idea. It must inspire other bartenders, be innovative yet easy to replicate, and enticing for guests. Bartenders will be tasked with creating a cocktail and then with developing a complete drink menu inspired by their creation. Bartenders with the highest scores will present their cocktail and drink menu in a two-minute video to convince the judges why their idea could become the next big trend.
As contestants progress through the competition they will build their own digital portfolio facilitated by Bols.com. The portfolio will include a dedicated page containing their original cocktail, menu, and video. This page will become the perfect tool for bartenders to position themselves globally.
Open to applicants from 18 regions across the globe*, the competition includes three heats and culminates with one representative from each region being invited to participate in the semi-finals. The semi-finals and Grand Final will be conducted in Amsterdam from May 16-20, 2014 and judged by a panel of global spirits industry experts, led by Bols Bartending Academy head trainer, Malika Saidi. Participants will be put through their paces and assessed across a broad set of skills including cocktail making, presentation skills, commercial and marketing insight, understanding and passion for bartending, and their overall ability to entertain.
The winner will follow in the footsteps of The Connaught’s Rusty Cerven who, from a field of 3,000 was crowned World Champion Bols Bartending 2013. This year’s winner will receive first prize and once-in-a-lifetime trip to four of the world’s best cocktail cities where they will have the opportunity to work in the best bars as a guest bartender. In addition, the new World Champion will travel around the world representing Bols in the industry’s most important trade shows.
All Bols Around the World finalists will become Bols Ambassadors in their own region and will be trained extensively at the Bols Bartending Academy.
Lucas Bols global brand manager Ara Carvallo said, “Bols Around the World is all about passionate bartenders, their lifestyle, and their career. It provides a stage to share creativity and develop global contacts and exposes bartenders to different cultures and influences, resulting in lasting friendships and potentially the opportunity to work in other bars around the world.”
Continued Carvallo, “Every year we are surprised by the way bartenders use Bols liqueurs and Bols Genever and then develop them further in their own creations to produce unique and delightful combinations. This reflects the culture at Bols and our firm belief that the best way to add value to the industry is through innovation and close collaboration with bartenders.”
Up to the minute information, rules and regulations for the contest can be found at www.Bols.com.
