World Class Winner for March - Tequila Category

As we all know the month of March was dedicated to the category of Tequila which meant all bartenders had to undergo a category training session and submit a World Class recipe containing either Jose Cuervo® Black or Don Julio® Reposado Tequila. I am so impressed by the skills that are being shown in these submissions, not to mention the drastic improvement month on month. The judges, Ryan Duvenage and Severyn Bang from Barcode, commented that these bartenders are coming up with really unique and original concepts which shows their understanding of the brands. We received a total of 22 recipes and it was a tough job narrowing these down to the top 10.

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So, there can only be one winner, and earning himself a spot in the regional finals in June…. From the Fairmont Hotel at Zimbali Resort, I am very proud to announce the winner of World Class for the month of March;

Siyanda Sokhela making:

COCKTAIL NAME: Don Picante Del Agua
GLASS: Tumbler
GARNISH: Lemon Zest rolled around a cinnamon stick with fresh Chilli
METHOD: Shake and Fine Strain
INGREDIENTS:

  • 50ml Don Julio Tequila
  • 12.5ml Grand Marnier
  • 25ml Cinnamon Syrup
  • 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice Slice Red Chilli
  • 50ml Gingerale

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The Runner up was Selvan Govender from the Oyster Box Hotel dazzling us with his recipe called the “Tequila Royale”:

COCKTAIL NAME: Tequila Royale
GLASS: Brandy Balloon
GARNISH: Apple Wedge
METHOD: Shake and Fine Strain
INGREDIENTS:

  • 35ml Don Julio Tequila
  • 20ml Calvados V.S.O.P
  • 5ml Apple Syrup
  • 50ml Cloudy Apple Juice
  • 1 Egg White
  • 10ml Sugar Syrup

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The rest of the top 10 rankings are as follows:

  • 3rd Place – Thobani Khoza (Oyster Box Hotel)
  • 4th Place – John Shabalala (Oyster Box Hotel)
  • 5th Place – Bheki Maqwaza (Fairmont Hotel)
  • 6th Place – Douglas Shandu (Oyster Box Hotel)
  • 7th Place – Siyanda N. Maqwaza (Oyster Box Hotel)
  • 8th Place – Dube Meluluke (Fairmont Hotel)
  • 9th Place – Bazil Nsinganu (Havana Grill)
  • 10th Place – Kelly John Bauwer (Oyster Box Hotel)

Well Done everyone, I look forward to the Month of April ahead with some creative recipes using Johnnie Walker® Gold Label™ and Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™.