Guild’s first cocktail contest

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 4

Guild’s first cocktail contest

“Cliff-hangers” and “Southern Gentleman” were among the drinks served to five judges at the Bartenders’ Guild’s first cocktailmaking contest held last evening at the Russley Hotel. The 12 contestants, from as far afield as Waitangi and Queenstown, were judged on three drinks as well as on their personalities and appearance. All the judges were impressed with the standard of drinks, which were divided into cocktails to set recipes, original cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks. The winner, Michelle Laming, of the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, was presented with ?500 and a silver wine bucket trophy. The second and third prizes of alcohol and merit awards went to Tony Hannah, of the Chancery Tavern, Christchurch, and Barry Williams, of Waitangi’s Tourist Hotel Corporation hotel. All the contestants made colourful cocktails with at-

tractive garnishes, said a spokesman for the guild, Mrs Bev Reans, last evening. Michelle Laming’s original cocktail, “Southern Gentleman,” was made with Southern Comfort, Galliano, and fresh cream, she said. Tony Hannah’s choice of original cocktail, “Saltini,” had crushed ice, dry vermouth, lemon juice, lemonade and salt.

Barry Williams ‘cliffhanger’ was made of gold tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and sweet syrup. The editor of “Hospitality,” Mr David Conway, took part in the judging with Mrs Jocelyne White, of the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board. Mr Garry Arthur, a feature writer on “The Press,” Mr Robin Harrison, of 3ZB, and Mr Barry Reans, the guild's president, were the three other judges. The guild would like to make the contest an annual event.