Shaken, stirred and smoking hot! In a competition organised by Monkey Shoulder, finale participants were tested on techniques, insights, speed and skills behind the bar with some potent potions. And we had a winner! Monkey Shoulder announced the India winner of the Ultimate Bartender Championship 2018 on June 28. The coveted championship crown went to Bengaluru boy Vedant Mehra who also won a fully curated and customised 500 CC Bike!
The 2018 season of Ultimate Bartender Championship’s India leg concluded with the India Grand Finale being hosted by the Monkey Shoulder Global Brand Ambassador, Joe Petch over a session on bartending skills of ingredient mastery, combining and blending, pouring with accuracy, nosing and stock taking.
The India grand finale participants were tested on their unique techniques, insights, speed and skills behind the bar. The winner will get a spot to go to the most sought-after and top notch global industry event, The Athens Bar Show.
Vedant Mehra, the Bengaluru boy who won the grand finale speaks about bartending as a profession, and his unbridled joy at winning the UBC.
“I am over the moon at winning this biggest competition possible! For me, it is a very big achievement to be the best amongst the best of India! The Ultimate Bartender Championship is an amazing initiative by Monkey Shoulder for exposing us to international standards of bartending and taking us to global platforms such as the Athens Bar Show.” Vedant is now all set to show his juggling and stirring skills at the Athens Bar show, and he recalls, “This is the first time I’ve won a national competition. I’m glad it was the Monkey Shoulder Ultimate bartender competition as it is the only competition which tests us on all our skills as a Bartender.”
While bartending was probably not a profession that was an obvious choice, Vedant is thrilled that he has learnt and progressed in the art of mixing. Now, totally excited about the Athens Bar Show, he is looking forward to meeting all the best bartenders around the world.
Recalling about the road to his title, he adds, “The competition was like no other. One of the best competitions out there, it was unique and well-rounded. My biggest competition was every bartender out there as this competition is based on skills we use on a daily basis, every bartender is direct competition.”
While regular tipplers love their fancy-shmancy drinks, this bartender also has his favourite, “My favourite drink is the Monkey Sour. The whisky sour is a great way to drink whisky all times of the day. The combination of sugar, sour, egg white and Monkey Shoulder whisky is perfect. The addition of a few dashes of bitters elevates the cocktail.”
For Vedant, the future is bright, and heady, he adds. “I think real importance is displayed on how each bartender can take the same raw ingredients and create something completely different and delight a customer.
Bartending chose Vedant when he was an event organiser and a bartender didn’t show up. He hopes to get better and inspire others. “I want to highlight India on the global map of cocktails, bars and bartenders.”
