He fought off competition from ten other countries to win US$10,000 and the opportunity to be Angostura’s brand ambassador for a year.
2013 marked the 8th competition and the first time someone from Trinidad and Tobago took the title. The final took place at the House of Angostura, Port of Spain.
Head judge, maestro Salvatore Calabrese, pictured with Jones, 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!"
Competitors had to prepare a rum cocktail as well as a cocktail with a spirit of their choice in 7 minutes. Stanislav Mukhin of Ukraine won the rum category and Jones won the freestyle category.
The theme of the challenge 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 visitors the Waltz. Various traditional carnival characters appeared in the courtyard and soca artist Fyah Empress performed to the crowd.
