Shem Gordon from Radio Bar at the ME Hotel in London has won a trip for himself and his bar team to Jamaica in a competition run by Appleton Estate rum.
Shem, who is from Jamaica, and two other bartenders were challenged to create an original cocktail using the Jamaican rum at the final of the Appleton Estate #DiscoverRum competition at London bar Discount Suit Company.
The cocktail had to be based on a theme of discovery and the contestants were judged on the taste and presentation of the cocktail, the reasons why they thought their cocktail should win as well as on the sales of the cocktail in their bar.
Shem said: “It was a great experience creating a cocktail from scratch using Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum with the theme of discovery. My focus was discovering the tastes, smells and sounds of Jamaica, the island home of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum and my family, and capturing it in my cocktail – which I think I achieved.
“My team and I are delighted to be announced the winners of the #DiscoverRum challenge and are incredibly excited about our trip to Jamaica. I especially can’t wait to visit my home country again.”
Pietro Mattioni, general manager of Appleton Estate distributor J Wray & Nephew (UK), added: “This year’s competition saw a very high standard of bartender battle it out to win this fantastic trip to Jamaica.
“They created impressive cocktails adhering to the terms and conditions of following this year’s theme of discovery. Shem Gordon created the winning cocktail Jammin, which incorporated all of the elements focusing on the discovery of the island home of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, which he captured effortlessly.”
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