Montreal, December 16, 2015 – Montreal’s cocktail community had a date last Monday at the SAT with MADE WITH LOVE, the biggest cocktail competition in Canada.
This year marks the event’s seventh edition, already a staple on the mixology scene. Creativity and intricacy must both be mastered by the participants with the hopes of seducing the evening’s guests.
22 finalists selected in September are putting their reputations on the line. Weeks and weeks of preparation and research have gone into offering an exclusive and original cocktail experience to the 1500 drink aficionados who savoured various concoctions and adorned their favourite one with a symbolic dog tag.
The jury awarded the first prize to Tom Almani, independent with his Skyy vodka cocktail. The audience award went to Pierre Gadouas from Artgang with a Gin Hendrick’s based cocktail.
The battle has just begun for our two finalists. They’ll be competing for the title of best bartender in Canada in May, 2016, in Vancouver, as well as for the opportunity to win a trip to one of the contest’s ten partner distilleries.
The official competition results :
Judges’ choice :
1 – Tom Almani, independent
2 – Maximiliano Valletta, Les Enfants Terribles
3 – Pierre-Hugues Marois, Taverne Midway
Public’s Choice :
1 – Pierre Gadouas, ArtGang Mtl
2 – Maximilien Jean, Bar Le Jockey
3 – Maximiliano Valletta, Les Enfants Terribles
The winning recipes :
JUDGES’ CHOICE WINNER :
Tom Almani, independent
Stockton Sour
1 1/2 oz Skyy Vodka
1 1/4 oz Cordial, kaffir lime & lemon
3/4 oz Mangoustan juice
3/4 oz egg white
2 dashes chocolate bitter
Grated kaffir lime as garnish
Pairing : Salmon gravlax, beets served with an herb and citrus vinaigrette
PUBLIC’S CHOICE WINNER
Pierre Gadouas, ArtGang Mtl
Bansky
3/4 oz Hendrick’s gin
1/2 oz camomille syrup and pink peppercorn
1/4 oz Fresh lime juice
1/4 oz Cucumber juice
Shake 10 times with 1/2 kaffir lime leaf
Serve in a cucumber glass
Pairing : Sumac-infused macaron, matcha tea-infused Greek yogurt served on a cucumber slice
“Judging by the level of excellence achieved last night , Quebec cocktail culture is right up there with the major cities in the world. MADE WITH LOVE is proud to be a showcase that allows local talents to express themselves,” said Pierre-Olivier Trempe , founder of MADE WITH LOVE.
