Teams representing the best in flairtenders and mixologists from the North and South of the UK have been chosen to go head-to-head in the Maxxium UK Liquid War competition 2008.
Having proved their worth in the regional and northern/ southern heats, the 12 finalists will this weekend (16 November) battle to decide which area of the UK produces the best shakers and makers.
The bartenders will compete for both team and individual honours, in the flair and mixology categories. The team achieving the highest score will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip to the BOLS Bartending Academy in Amsterdam.
Forming part of the Mixxit programme that champions the values of excellence, education and the promotion of bartending as a career, Liquid War 2008 will focus on the quality of the mixed drinks, with competitors judged on their knowledge and creativity.
The Liquid War 2008 final will take place at Glasgow’s Merchant Square, where 5k people are expected to attend.
South Mixology team:
Mirko Falconi, The Library Bar, London
Alex Kratena, Artesian @ The Langham, London
John Clay, The Refectory Bar, Plymouth
Jamie Kimber, Raoul’s, Oxford
Jim Wrigley, Lonsdale, London
Stuart Fritz, The Lab, London
Robert Wood, The Kenilworth, Kenilworth
Jake Blanch, The Hawksmoor, London
Kyle Gibson, The Blanch House, Brighton
Mickael Perron, Freelance, London
North Mixology team:
Derek Bremner, Metropolitan, Glasgow
Joey Medrington, Tonic, Edinburgh
Malcolm Spence, Rick’s, Edinburgh
Bobby Cockburn, Mamasan, Glasgow
Jamie MacDonald, Freelance, Edinburgh
Chris Stock, Bramble, Edinburgh
James Coston, Trio, Leeds
Chris Miles, Booly Mardi’s, Glasgow
Shervene Shahbazkhani, Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Jack McGarry, The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
South Flair team:
Tom Dyer, Creative
Chris Kellett, Roadhouse
Alex Searle, Barwizards
Lee Johnson, Living Room
Anthony Pullen, Independent
Brenden Rodrigues, Independent
North Flair team:
Davie Reynolds, Independent
Jon O’connor, LA Bartenders
David Monaghan, Bar Dynamics
Dougie Bale, LA Bartenders
Amir Krought, Glow Bars
Burhan Yildirim, Independent