Global Gold for Deirdre
Deirdre Byrne, the first-ever lady to represent the Bartenders Association of Ireland at the 39th World Cocktail Competition, has won Gold on her first attempt in Prague.
27 August 2013
Originally from Teelin, County Donegal, Deirdre currently works at the Exchange Restaurant & Cocktail Bar at the Westin Hotel, Dublin.
Her route to the World Finals involved winning the Edward Dillon & Co-sponsored National Cocktail Competition held at CATEX in the RDS, Dublin, last February.
Deirdre was supported at the World Finals by the BAI Team comprising BAI President Declan Byrne, BAI Treasurer Andy O’Gorman, fellow BAI competitor Eoin O’Neill, BAI Delegate Owen Hughes and Deirdre’s partner Shane Guilmartin.
Deirdre competed in the ‘Fancy Cocktail’ competition and after a perfect technical score on Round One with no time penalties incurred it was up to her cocktail to impress the taste judges. Deirdre’s cocktail, ‘Angel Fruit’, comprised a Bombay Sapphire base.
The Irish winner saw off stiff competition from countries like France, Uruguay, Hong Kong and last year’s World Champion from Peru.
All six Gold Medal winners from each competition then competed in the ‘Super Final’ which took place during the Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony on the final day of the congress.
The ‘Super Finalists’ comprised a record-setting four women and two men from: Japan, Finland, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus and Poland.
Greta Gronholm from Finland was the overall winner with her Sparkling’ Cocktail called ‘My Green Summer’ based on Grey Goose La Poire.
The World Cocktail Competition, part of the 62nd congress organised by the International Bartenders Association, was hosted by the Czech Bartenders Association.
The six-day congress had a packed schedule of events including: the annual general meeting of the International Bartenders Association with more than 60 member countries; workshops and masterclasses delivered by supporting brands; a cultural sightseeing tour of Prague; the World Cocktail Competition in classic bartending and flair-tending culminating with a Gala Dinner and award ceremony in the Hilton Hotel, Prague.
Speaking after the competition, BAI President Declan Byrne commented, “Deirdre has set a new high standard for all bartenders to achieve. She was an excellent ambassador for Ireland and our hospitality industry on the world stage in Prague. The BAI are so proud of her and wish her many years of success for the future. Thanks too to our sponsor Edward Dillon & Co for supporting the BAI for the last four years without whom we would find it difficult to get to the World Cocktail Competition”.
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