Raymond Blanc to judge 5th Annual 42Below Cocktail World Cup

16 February 2010

Raymond is delighted to have been asked to join the panel of judges for the 5th annual 42Below Cocktail World Cup.

The world’s most exciting cocktail competition has teamed up with Shoreditch House to hold the national final of the 5th annual 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup in the Secret Garden this February. The international competition, which puts bartenders on the world stage in 13 countries, will see 36 bartenders from 12 cities mix drinks to impress for their chance to represent the UK in New Zealand in March 2010. Members will be called upon to sample the tantalizing cocktail creations and vote for their favourite drink, helping our celebrated judging panel decide who will win the coveted title.

The Cocktail Challenge: During the competition 12 teams representing cities across the UK will be given a box of surprise ingredients testing their skills to mix the best tasting cocktails from the unusual selection.  Adventurous ingredients from herbaceous reductions to pine needles, avocado or even tobacco will appear to throw off, challenge and inspire their creations. Weird and wonderful techniques from molecular gastronomy to atomization, torching and even distillation can be used as long as creations are ready for taste testing in under 42mins.

Taste and Tell: Members will sample the creative concoctions from each team’s cocktail stall, cast their votes and take in the rocking beats while the judges deliberate and ultimately announce the new UK champions.