TV Times - temp

The finals of the 15th Marie Brizard Bartenders Competition 2006 will come alive on Wednesday, June 17 at the Water's Edge.

This internationally acclaimed competition is considered the 'stepping stone' for bar- tenders to gain overseas exposure and further their career opportunities. This competition is generously sponsored by "Marie Brizard Liqueurs of France' who celebrated their 250th Anniversary in 2005 and is one of the oldest liquor making companies in the world.

This competition was intended to develop and improve standards in the hospitality industry and to increase sales and enable Bartenders to reach greater international standards. The Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Hotel Association and sponsored by Free Lanka Trading Company, sole agents for Marie Brizard Liqueurs in Sri Lanka.

This competition was first held in 1992 in three regions. At the time, 93 participants took part at the Grand finals in Colombo and the winner took part in Asia Pacific Competition in Singapore, Now, this annual competition is conducted in five regions; Colombo, Negombio, Bentota, Galle, Kandy and the Cultural Triangle, training over 300 bartenders in bar tendering techniques and in the knowledge of beverage.

The first five winners from each region are privileged to take part in the weeks' training programme conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, where top Marketing and Sales personnel and the best hotel trainers in Food and Beverage will undertake a part of the training. The Hotel industries extent their utmost support to train the 'Cream of the Bartenders' in the country. All regional winners will then take part in the mini competition to qualify for the Grand Final.

This year's programme has been divided into two segments; Classical Bartendering and Flairing. Yangdup Lama, director Cocktails & Dreams is the guest lecturer for Classical Bartendering and Tsai Wen-Hao, Winner 2005 Asia Pacific Bartendering competition will train the flairing finalists.

The winner will receive the Challenge Trophy and the opportunity to take part in the Asia Pacific bartenders Competitionin Singapore.

The CHSGA is responsible for covering the important subjects on bar tendering. how Spirits are made, Salesmanship and Selling Skills, working behind the Bar, Mixing Cocktails etc. The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel management will provide learning tools to the participants and together with the Sri Lanka Tourist Hotels association; these three associations will delegate their expertise, dedication, and commitment towards this competition.

This year, SKYY Vodka will be sponsoring the Flairing Bartender Competition in Sri Lanka and will support that winner to the Asia Pacific Flaring competition in Singapore. In addition, CHSGA has signed up with Free Lanka Trading for another two years to conduct this competition and the E&J Gallo Sommelier Competition which is to be held in September 2006. Hospitality is provided by Water's Edge for this event for the second consecutive year.