As the competition celebrates its 10th year, Angostura names it’s Global Cocktail Challenge finalists. The field of 318 bartenders from 55 countries has been narrowed down to nine finalists. 

They are: Shana Rajahram (Trinidad and Tobago), Marv Cunningham (The Bahamas), Chad Lawrence (Canada), Gustavo Costa (Brazil), Mike Jordhoy (France), Rohan Massie (Australia), Simon Dacey (UK), Vasile Dorofeev (Dubai) and Agung Satria (Vietnam).

To be held during the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival on 24 and 25 February, the competition will task bartenders with mixing two drinks in seven minutes while entertaining judges with their knowledge of cocktails, the category and Angostura. The finalists will also undergo a ‘rigorous’ interview.

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Rohan Massie who will represent Oceania in the Angostura Global Cocktail Competition

Establishing itself as a level playing field, the competition will concentrate on the skills, charm, knowledge and work ethic believed need to represent Angostura internationally, at some of the cocktail and drinks industry’s biggest events.

The winner will receive the title of Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge Champion 2020, a cash prize of US$10,000 and a two-year contract as a global brand ambassador for the Angostura range.

In addition, the winner will have the opportunity to serve as a judge during the finals for the next competition.

Rahim Mohammed, Angostura’s executive manager – corporate services and marketing, said: “The diversity of talent the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge helps to shine a light on is outstanding.

“Amongst the nine finalists, we have representatives from arguably some of the best rum bars in the world, high-volume cocktail bars, nightclub bartenders, those working in events, to someone who lives in a small town, which by his own admission has little cocktail culture to speak of yet.

“The one thing all of these finalists have in common is a real and urgent passion for their craft, for many it is a calling, an incredible talent for mixing drinks and a great way of telling stories and engaging an audience.

“I can’t wait to see all nine of these finalists in action here in Trinidad and Tobago, and for them to experience one of the most incredible weeks on our beautiful islands.”

While on the island the finalists will also have the opportunity to take part in distillery and museum tours and tutored tastings, as well as experience the island’s culture. The Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, itself is a pre-dawn celebration which involves revellers smearing paint, mud or oil on each other while dancing down the street in a J’ouvert band.