With teamwork at its core, the pioneering initiative celebrates the art of bartending mastery, the spirit of hospitality and the brand’s signature creative energy.
With €10,000 and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Havana up for grabs, a journey into the world of Cuban culture and craftsmanship awaits successful finalists.
In a competition like no other, Havana Club is inviting teams of two bartenders in Europe with the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Czech Republic being lead countries in addition to three European Wild Cards, as well as Cuba, Brazil and China.
They’ll have the opportunity to embark on an enriching journey to compete and showcase their unparalleled level of expertise on the international stage through a series of team-building challenges and an extensive education programme.
To equip teams with skills for a successful first entry, Havana Club is offering exclusive Maestro Sessions, featuring the following educational films with insights from leading industry voices:
• Liquid: Maestro del Ron Cubano Asbel Morales and Global Brand Ambassador Alfredo Guerra will lead an exploration of Havana Club’s rich cultural heritage, delving into the intricate world of rum production, vibrant island life and the everlasting connection this has with the liquid.
• Flavour: Renowned chef and founder of Bando Belly, Naz Ramadan, will showcase her unique approach to flavours and ingredients through a virtual cooking demonstration. Accompanied by Global Brand Ambassador Liam Holyoak-Rackal, the pair will explore the intricate balancing of food by perfectly pairing it with a neat Havana Club Añejo 7 Años.
• Hustle: Iconic bar duo, Emilio Di Salvo and Keila Urzais, of London’s most reputable cocktail bar, Satan’s Whiskers, will focus on how to hustle within the bar scene. With their exceptional mixology skills and deep knowledge of crafting cocktails they will share tricks of the trade, creating an atmosphere of genuine hospitality that turns a great drink into a memorable experience.
• Expression: With nearly a decade of experience, legendary photographer Lateef Okunnu will unveil the secrets behind the extraordinary art of drink photography. Specialising in photographing food, drink and people, Lateef’s extensive portfolio in these domains set the stage for a masterful exploration of the art of visually showcasing beverages.
Entries open for the first challenge, Liquid Harmony, from November 20th to January 15th. and will be judged by an esteemed panel of industry representatives, including brand ambassadors and long-standing friends of Havana Club. Inspired by the Maestro Sessions, teams simply need to:
• Create a bespoke cocktail using Havana Club rum alongside two homemade ingredients
• Capture a stunning image of their creation accompanied by an equally remarkable team photo
• Enter their submission via the Havana Club Cocktail Maestros landing page
Successful Liquid Harmony applicants will advance to national and regional finals with eight teams of finalists invited to the global final (15th-18th April 2024) in Havana, Cuba where they will be fully immersed in the vibrant heart of the city to embrace island life and explore the local bartending scene. The showstopping 4-day trip will also include an exclusive tour of the San José Distillery hosted by the renowned Maestros del Ron Cubano as well as team-building activities and an unforgettable experience of the authenticity of Cuba.
