Filipino bartender wins bronze in international bartending competition

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino bartender has won bronze in the World Cocktail Championship held recently in Prague, Czech Republic.

Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino Manila's Jessie Ray Clasicas once again showed grace and textbook execution in the "Fancy Cocktail" category with his entry "Blazing Star" on his way to a third place finish behind Ireland's Diedre Byrne and Uruguay's Juan Berrutti.

The annual competition saw bartenders from around 60 countries who compete in different categories. Competitors are judged based on how they concoct their cocktails while a separate set of judges rate the taste.

"I am so pleased to represent the Philippines in the World Cocktail Championship and winning bronze medal is such an amazing honor," Clasicas said. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Philippine Bartenders' League (PBL) and the Interational Bartenders' Association (IBA) for giving me the opportunity to have a glorious and happy memory that I can look back to for years to come. I am truly honored  to receive this award."

"Jessie is now harvesting the fruits of his labor, we are proud of you," said Nanette Deus, Outlet Manager of The Lounge, Hyatt.

"It is a wonderful achievement that makes us all proud," adds Ranjeet Rajebhosale, Hyatt's F&B Director.

Clasicas earned the opportunity to represent the country after winning the Bartenders Masters Series Clash of Champions organized by the PBL last June.

(Related article: Filipino bartenders to compete in Singapore, Czech Republic)

PBL National President Mutley Matilla, who accompanied Clasicas in the competition, said that this is the first time the Philippines has brought home a medal in the World Cocktail Championship since the PBL became an IBA member in 1997.

"I hope that this is just the beginning and that next year, whoever we send to represent the country can replicate Clasicas' medal-worthy showing and prove once again that the Philippine bar service in the hospitality industry is indeed world class," Matilla said.