Royal Crescent Hotel barman wins cocktail championship

10-May-2009 - Last updated on 01-Dec-2010 at 09:50 GMT

Orlando Garcia beats 11 other finalists from around the UK to win the UK Bartenders Guild Akvinta Grand Prix competition

Orlando Garcia, barman at von Essen`s Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath, has won this year`s Akvinta Grand Prix cocktail competition.

Garcia (pictured, right) beat 11 other finalists to the prize of a trip for two to Croatia and the chance to compete in the 35th IBA Cocktail Competition in Berlin by impressing judges with his Green Goddess cocktail at The Buddha Bar in London last Tuesday (May 5).

More than 40 people from around the UK entered their Martini style cocktails, using Akvinta vodka, into the competition organised by the UK Bartenders` Guild.

A panel of judges, including Salvatore Calabrese, Sudhir Singh, John Jeffrey, and Catharine Thomas, whittled entries down to 12 finalists whose cocktails were made and scrutinised at last week`s final.

Second place was won by Julian Lafond of the Hoxton Pony in London and third place by Giulio Amodio of China Tang in London. The technical prize was awarded to Antonio Simonetti, also of the Hoxton Pony.

Garcia will go forward to represent the UK in the 35th IBA Cocktail Competition in Berlin this August.

The 12 finalists for the last shake off were:

Antono Simonetti from the Hoxton Pony, London
Alex Gilbert from the Crazy Bear Hotel, Beaconsfield
Antonio Dandrea from Penny Hill Park, London
Kann Engle from the Solo Bar Camden, London
Knud Schiebelt from Bowood House, Cippenham
Manuel Soro from 50 St James, London
Sean Jackson from the Crazy Bear Hotel, Beaconsfield
Stefano Cossio from the Dorchester Hotel, London
Vincent Orain from All Star Lanes Holborn, London
Giulio Amodio from China Tang, London
Julien Lafond from the Hoxton Pony, London
Orlando Garcia from The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath