The bartender of Lithuanian origin based in London, Vitalij Gutovkij, has been proclaimed 'Best Cava Mixologist'. He has won the grand finale of the cocktail contest 'Cava Mixology Competition'. It is organized by the Denomination of Origin Cava.
David González, from the Madrid semifinal, and Xavier Almeida, from Malaga, have achieved second and third place. The final took place in the mythical room Barcelona Gas Light.
The contest, aimed exclusively at Bartenders professionals, has performed tests on London. Also in New York, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and San Sebastián during 2017 and 2018. In total, more than 150 bartenders have been presented.
Cava Mixology Competition
Twelve finalists, two for each semifinal, have faced two rounds in the competition Cava Mixology. In the first, which has been eliminatory, the contestants have had to make a cocktail from the indications they have found in a 'mystery box'.
The participants have made their creations under a stopwatch. Although they have had 10 minutes, the jury has especially valued that the test was carried out in 7.
The three classified for the final had to elaborate an original recipe for which they used their own ingredients. The jury, made up of prominent technicians and professionals in the sector, has chosen the winner in an exciting test.
In it they have taken into account the complexity of the preparation and the risk when choosing the ingredients. But also the technique and the harmonic introduction of cava in the cocktail.
The jury for this final has been chaired by the following personalities.
- José María Gotarda, president of the Club del Barman Catalunya (ABE) and founder of Ideal Cocktail Bar.
- Eduard Campos, Negroni bartender.
- Javier Caballero, bartender and founder of Liquid Experience.
- Juan Muñoz, sommelier.
- Carme Gasull, gastronomic journalist.
- Kepa Madariaga, vice president of the Federation of Bartender Associations of Spain.
The technical director of the contest has been Damià Mula. He is a bartender and coordinator of the CETT-UB Mixology courses.
Vitalij Gutovkij, the great protagonist
The winner, Vitalij Gutovkij, is Lithuanian by birth. Although he has lived in London. He started out as a mixologist at the Globe Theater Bar and later in the Southgate Willow Cocktail. He currently works at the bar One Aldwich Hotel. He won in the semi-final of the London country. He has received a cash prize of 2.000 euros and a contract to be the 'Best Cava Mixologist' for one year.
The winning cocktail has been named 'Cava Barcelona Cocktail' and it will be promoted internationally. The jury highlighted that it is “elegant, delicate, very well balanced and that it knows how to capture all the essence of the depth of cava. In addition, it integrates the Mediterranean idiosyncrasy very well ».
Rest of classifieds in Cava Mixology
The second classified, David González, has received a prize of 1.000 euros and a trophy. Is head bartender in the Madrid Cock Bar. The third finalist was Xavier Almeida, who was presented with 500 euros and a trophy. He is an expert sommelier in Jerez wines and currently works as a mixologist at the Marbella Club Hotel.
This contest was born with the intention of exploring new expressions of cava from the art of cocktails. It is a 'clear' bet of the Cava Regulatory Council for integrating it as a cocktail among professionals. In this way also promote its consumption among younger consumers.
The president of this council, Peter Bonet, has emphasized that with initiatives like this one the intention is to “continue promoting and promoting cava. In this way, we can approach a younger and fresher consumer. Show that cava is the most versatile drink. It can be used for a solemn toast or to accompany a cava cocktail or a gastronomic meal in any country in the world ”.
El Cava Regulatory Council will soon disseminate the ingredients of the 'Cava Barcelona Cocktail' on its website www.docava.es
You can also know more about Cava Mixology on the web www.crcava.es
