Lucas Bols today announced the 18 contenders selected from over 3000 bartenders across 76 countries to participate in the semifinals of its annual world bartending championship, Bols Around the World. The semifinals will take place in Amsterdam over four days in May.
The semifinalists will compete in a four–day, intensive Bols experience in Amsterdam during which each competitor will showcase a variety of skills. This year’s international judging panel is focused on finding the world’s most visionary bartender, an innovator poised to create bartending’s next big trend.
Kate Gerwin secured her place representing the United States in the semifinals after three rounds of intense challenges. Contestants were charged with developing a drink concept, creating an innovative bar menu inspired by the new concept, and presenting a video explaining to judges why their idea could become the next big drinks trend.
A service industry veteran, Gerwin splits time between home bases at Albuquerque’s Imbibe and Bismarck, ND’s Humpback Sally’s. In addition to her work behind the bar, Gerwin travels across the US both consulting for new establishments and appearing on television in shows like Spike TV’s Bar Rescue. She co-founded the New Mexico chapters of USBG and LUPEC.
Of the 18 semifinalists, eight will be picked for the Grand Finale on May 20th. Those chosen will then compete in the Grand Finale to become Bols Bartending World Champion 2014, which includes a 10 day global bar tour, guest bartending shift in top bars in four world cocktail capitals, and the chance to represent Bols Around the World at a number of major global events during the year. The Grand Finale will be held in Amsterdam on Tuesday May 20th and is scheduled to be broadcast on Bols.com live at 2 p.m. EDT.
Bols global brand manager Ara Carvallo said, “We have evolved Bols Around the World significantly this year, further intensifying the level of competition. Creativity in the bartending community, as evidenced by the commitment and passion of participants seems to know no bounds and we are therefore very excited to welcome the final 18 to Amsterdam in May and to share the Grand Final live through the webcast for the first time, sharing the creativity of bartenders working with Bols to an even wider global audience.”
Bols Around The World 2014 semifinalists:
Region 1 Canada: Frederic Lafontaine
Region 2 USA: Kate Gerwin
Region 3 Brazil: Jéssica dos Santos
Region 4 Argentina: Rodrigo Pascual Tubert
Region 5 UK: Elliot Ball
Region 6 Nordics: Pekka Valitalo
Region 7 Germany: Christian Kern
Region 8 Italy: Paolo Baccino
Region 9 Austria: Dominik Wolf
Region 10 France: Sami Mersel
Region 11 Netherlands: Airto Cramer
Region 12 Estonia: Andrei Kazakov
Region 13 Russia: Katerina Babich
Region 14 Poland: Arek Stefaniak
Region 15 United Arab Emeirates: Christian Pineda Aguacia
Region 16 Japan: Yukiko Watanabe
Region 17 Hong Kong: Antonio Lai Chun Nam
Region 18 Australia: Jack Sotti
The global panel of judges across both the semifinals and Grand Final will be headed by Malika Saidi, head trainer Bols Bartending Academy and includes:
Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, Founder/General Manager and Bar Manager respectively, The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog
Robbie Bargh, Founder London’s Gorgeous Group
Ago Perrone, Global Brand Ambassador Galliano and Head Mixologist Connaught Bar
Rusty Cerven, Bols Bartending World Champion 2013
Rules, regulations and up to the minute information for the contest can be found at www.Bols.com. Follow the competition live at https://www.facebook.com/bolsbartending.
Lucas Bols B.V. was originally established in 1575 in Amsterdam. The company has a long and rich heritage which forms the basis for all of its brands. As one of the world’s leading cocktail liqueur and spirit producers, the company prides itself on its commitment to innovation and excellence. For over 435 years, Lucas Bols has been mastering the art of mixing, blending and creating quality liqueurs using centuries old recipes, while striving to produce cutting edge, versatile solutions to suit contemporary palates. The Bols Liqueurs range comprises of over 35 different flavors, making it a leading authority in the cocktail sector. Lucas Bols B.V. distributes across 110 countries worldwide – ‘one brand, a million drinks’.
