Barcadi Ghana holds first ever Rum Day Contest

Barcadi Ghana recently held the first ever Rum Day Contest at the Lotus Bar, Cantonments with over 70 guests present.

The competition partnered by Marina Distribution Limited, Ghana, brought  together Bartenders from across major  outlets in the country.

It started with round-robin style, seeing who could shake the fastest and make the best cocktails for a panel of renowned judges consisting  Ms. Innocentia Taliwe, Bacardi Marketing Development Manager (West Africa), Mr. Terry Sowah, Bacardi Trade Ambassador (Ghana) Mr Cameron Hawkins, Bacardi Brand Ambassador, Ms Audrey Boistol, Brand Manager of Bacardi, Martini and D’usse (Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa) and Mr Chris Beany, Academy Chair, 50 Best Bars.

The Bartenders were selected via video presentations of themselves making their favourite Bacardi rum cocktails inspired by a story. There were over 80 entries where 15 were shortlisted for the final competition.

Inspiration of the Cocktails was a factor where participants were to educate consumers on Story, Scene or Incident from where they derived their special curated Cocktails.

The selection was based on Aesthetics of the Bacardi Rum Cocktails, which consisted of choice of Glassware, garnish or accompaniments served with the Cocktail

Each competitor made a round of cocktails selected at random, and culled from specially curated recipes, which where then evaluated based on accuracy, taste and presentation.

The criteria and technique considered were mainly through cocktails preparation, applying appropriate hygiene (COVID-19) protocols as well as necessary bartender etiquette.

Participants included; Edgar Davies: Front/Back, Edward Asare:  Lotus Bar, Prince Charles Sarkodie:  Base Lounge, Benjamin Amoako: Pomona, Alexander Deladem Afeli :Brasa Restaurant, Isaac : Freelance Bartender, Henry Tawiah: Brasa, Daniel Makunu: Front/Back, Kevin Kpade: Exhale Lounge, Ismalia Issaka: Area Bar, Emmanuel Nortey: Rockefellas Restaurant , David Nyamekye:Front/Back, Osborn:Neem Grill, Kamsy Brown: Kozo Restaurant, George Nortey: No X Restaurant and Lounge.

At the end of the competition, Alexander Afeli of Brasa restaurant was crowned “The King Of Bacardi Rum Coctails and took home the ultimate prize of GH₵6,000.

Kamsy Brown came second winning GH₵4,000 and Kevin Spade also took the third position with a GH₵2,000 cash prize.