Port of Spain, Trinidad – Trinidadian Daniyel Jones was appointed Angostura’s Global Cocktail Champion at this year’s Challenge which was held at the House of Angostura on Sunday 10th February 2013. He beat competitors from ten other countries and ran away with US$10,000 and the opportunity to be Angostura’s Brand Ambassador for a year.
It was the eighth cocktail challenge held by Angostura over the years and is the first time that someone from the Caribbean has won. Head Judge, maestro Salvatore Calabrese stated that the presentations by competitors were of a high standard. He said “I was very surprised at the professionalism that Daniyel displayed. He was creative and produced complex cocktails while displaying all the traits of an excellent mixologist; he showed that he was a bartender, a mixologist, and an actor that commanded the stage in front of the judges!”
There was much excitement as the competitors prepared a rum cocktail as well as a cocktail with a spirit of their choice in just 7 minutes. Winning the Rum Category was Stanislav Mukhin of the Ukraine who also placed 2nd and Daniyel Jones won the Freestyle category. Daniel Biber of Argentina placed third. All competitors received a medal of participation and gained the experience of seeing the beautiful island and the facilities where the famous Angostura aromatic bitters and Angostura rums are made. They were able to experience J’Ouvert and play Mas on Carnival Tuesday as part of an overall hosted experience.
The theme of the challenge this year was “Dimanche Gras” and the House of Angostura was turned into an 18th century plantation house, with ladies and gentlemen of the court in residence, showing their visitors the Waltz. Various traditional carnival characters appeared in the courtyard – Pierrot Grenade, Jab Molassie, Dame Lorraine and Vincentian soca artist Fyah Empress performed to the large crowd.
Wow! Maybe next year a Dominican will win!