CNDEscucha from Cuba: From the Cocktail Capital of Ibero-America to the World Championship

Caribbean News…
01 November 2022 10:36pm
CNDEscucha

The 2022 World Bartenders Championship will be held at the Meliá Internacional Hotel in Varadero, through November 4-9. The main organizer of the event is the International Bartenders Association (IBA), with the support of the Cuban Bartenders Association, which boasts over 2,000 members throughout the country.

On the eve of this great event, CNDEscucha, the Caribbean News Digital program, had the opportunity to count on the presence of Giorgio Fadda, president of the IBA, and Bruno Santos, executive secretary of that institution. Hosted by Jose Carlos de Santiago, president of the Excelencias Group, and Armando de la Garza, Caribbean News Digital's correspondent in Mexico, the pleasant conversation served as a prelude to the World Cocktail Championship, which for this edition has chosen Cuba, a country with a long and successful cocktail tradition.  

The first question had to do with the appointment of Havana as the Capital of Cocktails in Ibero-America and the possible influence that this status, granted by the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy, may have had on the IBA directors in deciding that Cuba should host the event.

"When we decided to hold the competition, all the associations around the world voted on where it will be held, even though there were bids submitted by Portugal, Chile and Italy," said Mr. Fadda, who argued that the beauty of the Caribbean island and its traditions made "us want to come to Cuba."

Regarding the U.S. blockade against Cuba, Fadda pointed out that this has not been one of the restrictions they have had to face in order for the participants to visit the country. He pointed to the war between Ukraine and Russia, and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic in some countries, as the main obstacles they had to overcome.  

"For countries like Singapore and Taiwan, it was difficult to get visas; everything else was easy. The only compelling reasons were the war in Ukraine and restrictions because of COVID. So far, no restrictions have been because of the U.S. blockade. In fact, we have a commission coming from the United States", said the IBA President on CNDEscucha.

Bruno Santos, secretary general of the International Bartender Association, explained that around 70 delegations from more than 60 countries are participating in the 69th edition of the event in Cuba.

During the program, both interviewees highlighted José Rafa Malem's personality and charisma, as well as his love and dedication in working with everyone around the world, in addition to his role as head of the Association of Cuban Bartenders (ACC). "That was another reason that made us decide that Cuba should host the Championship, because he is well known," said Giorgio Fadda, who explained that an event will be considered to celebrate the centenary of the ACC and the anniversary of the IBA.    

When asked by José Carlos de Santiago if they consider the Excelencias Group's initiatives, such as the cocktail guide, to be positive, Fadda replied: "The answer is absolutely yes. A bartender is not just a person who serves drinks. He's an ambassador who shows the person he's serving the culture, the origin, all the details he can provide about the drink he's enjoying. People's interest in knowing the origin of the drinks, the history behind the drinks they are enjoying has really grown. It is excellent to create a guide, not only of the bars in Havana, but of different bars in Cuba, to explain to people the culture related to cocktails," said Giorgio Fadda.

On the evolution of the IBA's concepts and principles over the years, he commented that, from the time of the IBA's creation until now, many things have happened: two world wars, Prohibition in the United States and more events. 

"All that affected the knowledge about drinks," he commented. "It wasn't until the 70s or 80s that they found the old recipe book and started to innovate those recipes they had with new ingredients. I represent the old culture, which has to do with this world," Fadda said. 

The controversy between the use of the words mixologist, bartender and bartender, as well as the terms harmony and pairing, was a matter of debate during the course of the interview. Opinions revolved around the fact that it is a fine frontier, but that mixology and cocktail making is an art that involves creativity. It was also discussed that none of the words can demerit the person, and respect for his or her philosophy must be maintained.

Finally, the two guests were asked which were their two favorite cocktails (one Cuban and the other international). Giorgio Fadda answered that for him they were the Canchánchara, and internationally the Old Fashion, made with Cuban rum. For Bruno Santos it was simple: mojito and mojito. 

About the 69th World Cocktail Championship

For its 2022 edition, the championship will break its competitive scheme and new rules will be applied. The Classic Style will consist of three levels. In Level I or preliminary round, all contestants will compete in five different cocktail categories: aperitifs, digestifs, long drinks, sparkling and, for the first time, analcoholic. Each national member association will be assigned a cocktail category at random. The bartender will be able to showcase his or her skills and present three samples of a newly created cocktail according to his or her category.

The top three places in each cocktail category will advance to the next semifinal round, or Level II competition. The bartenders will face three challenges: a tasting test, a speed test and a knowledge test, making three randomly selected cocktails from the IBA portfolio. The four best results will advance.

Level III or Super Final round is defined by the presentation of a new cocktail, with Havana Club as the obligatory base rum.

For the first time, the welcoming cocktail will be in charge of the eight directors of the IBA, the president of the ACC and the last world champion, winner of the 2019 competition. They, in ten stations of their own, will be in charge of preparing classic Cuban cocktails for the inaugural toast.

In addition, a Guinness Record will be sought for the creation of the world's largest "Adam and Eve" cocktail, in homage to the success of Cuban bartender Sergio Serrano Rivero, who became world champion in 2003 with his creation. 

For the creation of this giant cocktail, the glass manufactured by Havana Club for the giant Daiquiri, made some time ago on the island, will be used, and 7 Años Añejo rum will be used as the base product.

About the International Bartenders Association

The International Bartenders Association was founded on February 24, 1951 in the lounge of the Grand Hotel in Torquay, UK. Today this event is still celebrated around the world as International Bartender's Day.

The main objectives of the Association are to promote and maintain international relations among the members of the Guild and to encourage a high standard of competence and conduct for the benefit and advancement of the bartending profession.

The International Bartenders Association was founded on Saturday, 24th February 1951 in the Saloon of the Grand Hotel in Torquay, in the United Kingdom. Still today this event is celebrated all over the world as the International Bartenders' Day.

The Association's main aims are to promote and maintain International Relations among the Guild Members and to encourage a high standard of competence and conduct for the benefit and advancement of the profession of bartending.

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