Encouraging the creativity of Cuban food professionals in the interests of diversifying and increasingly improve the tourist offer, was the raison of the 5 competitions held under the VIII Varadero Gourmet 2016 Festival; convened by the Palmares Extra Hotel Company and supported by MINTUR, FORMATUR, the Federation of Culinary Associations of Cuba, the Association of Bartenders of Cuba, as well as Cuba Ron and Havana Club International companies.
Gourmet Excellences wanted to share with its readers the names of the winners, as a way to honor their effort and performance. Congratulations to all!
Competition "chef style":
Based on the use of products, processing forms, representative media of Cuban cuisine and fusion cuisine. They involved a total of 8 teams made up of 3 people, each with a full menu, on behalf of entities and / or dedicated to the restoration, state and non-state facilities, primarily with offers and services of high standard.
- 1st. Place: Gran Caribe Hotel Group
- 2nd. Place: Gaviota Hotel Group
- 3rd. Place: Paladar Los Amigos and Paladar Varadero 60.
Competition "Rescuing the Cuban Classics Cocktails":
The Palmares chain, with the advice of the Association of Bartenders of Cuba and support of the Havana Club International and Cuba Ron companies, called the competition of classic Cuban cocktails, seeking the rescue of tradition and techniques that identify them, which often we do not find in our bars. They finale was fought by 8 bartenders:
- 1st. Place: Maikel Tamayo. EGREM
- 2nd Place: Julio Cesar Suarez. Cubanacan
- 3rd. Place: Livan Rodríguez. Cubanacan
- Mention: Jorge Ardecoa. Palmares
" New Creation Cocktail art ":
The aim was to promote and disseminate the culture and knowledge of mixology, develop the art of mixology between our bartenders, encourage the creation of new and more exotic combinations, promote the use of new techniques and increase the presence of innovative cocktails and new creation in our bars. It involved a total of 13 bartenders.
- 1st. Place: Diosmel Mendoza. Islazul
- 2nd. Place: Adrian Ravelo. Gran Caribe
- 3rd. Place: Yaneisis Areas. Palmares
"Distinction in Serving":
Encouraging the food service staff updating knowledge, improving practical skills and consequent improvements in customer care were the main objectives of this contest. It involved a total of 5 contestants, on behalf of entities and / or dedicated to the restoration of both the state and private sector establishments.
- 1st. Place: Adalberto Diaz. Gran Caribe
- 2nd. Place: Aroise Rodriguez. Cubanacan
- 3rd. Place: Maikel Tamayo. Egreem.
"Stand design":
Those stands that managed to transmit, communicate and better reach their target audience within the fair were awarded either from the size and location, ability to reflect the image of the company, professional service, and information and interaction with customers.
- 1st. Place: MG Distilleries
- 2nd. Place: Havana Club International
- 3rd. Place: Freixenet
- Mention: Acopio company
