Monkey Shoulder, a scotch for the new generation of whisky enthusiasts brings the fourth season of the ‘Ultimate Bartender Championship’ to India. The championship focuses on uplifting and developing bartending skills. This global initiative is exclusively for the next generation of bartenders and will see participants showcase “skills that pay bills” across the country.
The eighth leg of the competition took place today at Byg Brewski Brewing Company, Bangalore and saw talented bartenders from popular bars and restaurants such as Bang – The Ritz Carlton, Kaze Bar & Kitchen, The Cur8 – Four Seasons, Arena Artisanal Brew Kitchen etc. The event was hosted by the India Brand Ambassador for Monkey Shoulder, Pankaj Balachandran. The venue was pumped with the energy of the bartenders participating in five exciting challenges including ingredient knowledge, mixing, pouring, nosing and even the perfect serve. Over 130+ bartenders registered from the South region comprising of Hyderabad and Bangalore. While multiple cities saw female participants, this event saw the first female bartender reach the fifth round to prepare some lovely cocktails for the judges, against the clock. The highest scorer from Bangalore round, Thulunga Narzary has over three years of experience bartending in bars such as ‘Social – Bangalore’ and ‘The Boozy Griffin’. He commented saying, “Bartending is a passion for me, and I’m very excited to be competing at the globally recognised event. Thanks to Monkey Shoulder, I had the chance to meet some of the finest-in-the-game. Glad that the brand has a platform such as Ultimate Bartender Championship, which recognises the skill in bartending.”
Speaking at the event for the 2019 season, Pankaj Balachandran, Brand Ambassador Monkey Shoulder said, “Monkey Shoulder is a modern whisky with a new approach, and we like to engage the bar community, Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship is exactly that. We are so excited to launch our fourth season that captures this essence that has skills pay bills and is all about modern techniques, global trends and Monkey mixing.” The event at Byg Brewski Brewing Company will be followed by the grand finale at Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Champions Camp. And to top even that, the national winner will win an all-expense paid trip to the London Cocktail Week in October.
