Norwegian Cruise Line bartender will represent cruise industry at global final this May
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Wade Cleophas from Norwegian Cruise Line was named 2017 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year during the live competition in Miami, US on 13 February.
Cleophas beat more than 2,500 entrants from 13 different cruise lines with ‘Legend River Reviver’, a cocktail featuring Bacardi Ocho (8) Anos, star anise-infused sweet vermouth, caramel/cinnamon syrup with drops of whisky barrel-aged bitters and a mist of Absinthe. The cocktail was topped with a garnish resembling the sails of a merchant ship and the wings of the Bacardi bat.
“Wade's overall presentation and cocktail execution on the night were absolutely on point and he delivered a compelling story of reviving the legend of Don Facundo Bacardi,” said Zachary Sulkes, international key account manager for cruise at Bacardi Global Travel Retail. “Wade is a perfect example of the acceleration of standards in cruise ship bartending over recent years and he truly deserves his place on the world stage.”
Cleophas will now represent the cruise industry at the Bacardi Global Finals in Berlin this May.
“This is such an exciting time for me, and moving on to compete in the global finals means for the next year I am regarded as one of the top bartenders in the world,” said Cleophas. “I’m going to use the cash prize to treat myself to a long overdue holiday, having worked non-stop for almost a year without a break. Then I’ll be back to work refreshed and ready to continue my bright future with Norwegian – I couldn’t be happier to be part of such an amazing company that honestly feels like my extended family.”