The initiative is part of the agenda of the most important competition of the International Bartenders Association (IBA, for its English acronym) and pays tribute to Sergio Serrano, the creator of this drink, winner of the 2003 edition of the event and the only previous Cuban winner of the event.
The day before, Vladimir Márquez, a bartender competing in traditional style for Cuba, had passed the first round of qualifying and secured a spot in the semifinals.
The bartender, with almost 30 years of experience, competed with the Déjà Vu cocktail in the Sparkling modality, a drink inspired by his father, who instilled in him the passion for the craft from childhood.
Márquez stressed that it is an honor for any bartender to take part in an event of this level and to represent their country, especially when the professional quality of the participants is undeniable.
The competition, in which more than 500 people from 60 nations take part, runs until November 8th and takes place at the Hotel Meliá Internacional Varadero.
As part of the program of events, the IBA Board and National Presidents of the organization, who were in attendance last Saturday, visited the San José distillery, home of Havana Club rum.
There they were received by the Master of Cuban Rum Asbel Morales and the Aspiring Master Osmany Cardentey.
Visitors sampled Havana Club Don Navarro, the brand’s most recent launch, a tribute to the First Master of Cuban Rum, José Pablo Navarro, who passed away two years ago.
Don Navarro will reach exclusive sectors of the market with a special edition of about a thousand bottles a year, Venus Carrillo, the communication and public relations specialist of this company with mixed Cuban and French capital, recently pointed out.
Carrillo noted that this spirit pays homage to the brand and the movement of masters and aspirants of Cuban rum to Navarro, credited as the creator of modern dark rum and the Havana Club 7 Years.
Opening the event, President of the Cuban Bartenders Association (ACC), José Rafa Malém, emphasized that the event will also honor the island’s canteen as part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, IBA President Giorgio Fadda thanked the host country for allowing members of its organization to meet again after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fadda welcomed the ACC’s commitment to unite delegations that speak different languages but share the same experiences and passions for the art of drink mixing in the premier global bartender competition.
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