After an exciting final held on Monday 4th November, Selia Bugallo of Kwãnt in London, was crowned the Best ITALICUS® Bar Artist of the Year with her aperitivo-style cocktail, The Three of Us, inspired by the brand.
Taking place at critically acclaimed Barcelona bar Paradiso, which recently placed at number 20 in the World’s 50 Best Bars, the final 12 bartenders battled it out in front of a live panel of expert judges. Each finalist was marked on their inspiration and connection with any form of art, presentation, interaction and knowledge of the brand.
Selia Bugallo, who works alongside Erik Lorincz at new London bar Kwãnt, saw off strong competition from finalists from some of the world’s top bars with the winning cocktail The Three of Us, an aperitivo cocktail made from ITALICUS® Rosolio di Bergamotto, coffee infused Sake and Oloroso wine, Topped with rosemary and grapefruit tonic, and garnished with a basil leaf.
Selia Bugallo says: “Winning the title of Best ITALICUS® Bar Artist 2019 with The Art of ITALICUS®, my first cocktail competition, is such an honour. In creating this aperitivo I was inspired by my experience as a professional Flamenco Dancer and its beauty and simplicity. The path to success in dance is to connect your mind, body and soul – which is where the title The Three of Us came from. I used this to put together a simple yet beautiful drink, just like the art of Flamenco.”
Bugallo, will fly to New York for a unique experience at NoMad, one of the top 3 World’s 50 Best Bars. All national finalists have also been given the opportunity to promote their cocktail through a guest bartending experience.
Founder of ITALICUS®, Giuseppe Gallo said: “I’m very proud of all our finalists, and we have seen some exceptional art expressions this year connecting with the essence of the Aperitivo and Italicus. Selia’s drink and inspiration captured the art and soul of ITALICUS® in the most delectable and
creative way, reflecting her own soul and personality and truly championed the aperitivo-style cocktail with a simple and yet modern twist.”
Dario Doimo, of Mr Coco in Las Vegas, and Melissa Countant from Cafe Moderne in Paris, took second and third place in the competition respectively. The 12 bartenders, who each took part in regional heats to win the chance to compete at the global Art of ITALICUS® Final, in no particular order, were:
- Selia Bugallo, Kwant, London (UK)
- Constantinos Kazelis, Lost and Found, Cyprus (Greece)
- Peggy Knuth, Ritz Carlton, Fragrances Bar, Berlin (Germany)
- Artem Talalay, Sakhalin, Moscow (Russia)
- Lucas Kelm, Amo Bar, Venice (Italy)
- Giuseppe Lilliu, Bar Feijoa, Amsterdam (Netherland)
- Walker Wong, Four Season (Hong Kong)
- Dario Dormo, Mr Coco, Las Vegas (US)
- Carmine Di Marino, Svanen, Oslo (Scandinavia)
- Melissa Countant, Cafe Moderne, Paris (France)
- Dominik Csuti, Black Swan, Budapest (Hungary)
- Silvia Doringer, Creps al Born, Barcelona (Spain)
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