About Emma Davis...
I have been fortunate enough to work in the drinks trade for the last 18 years and my career has allowed me to work with some of the finest spirit brands as well as travel extensively in the pursuit of some of the world's best cocktails.
I work with developing brands in the UK, as well as writing my own blog www.yogagimlets.blogspot.com.
Emma Davis website : www.yogagimlets.blogspot.com
Emma Davis latest posts entries
Judging
I woke up this morning knowing that I would have a very enjoyable and important purpose for my day. I was honoured to be one of the 13 judges for the Havana Club Grand Prix 2010 and I was the only woman. The judges all assembled this morning for their briefing which I made in the nick of time. My fellow judges were the likes of Dave Broom, Dre Masso, Philip Duff (Chairman), Tony C to name but a few. We were each put into groups of 3 and given 10 contestants each.
I was in a group with Tony C and Dave Broom so a recipe for much mischief and great banter. We assembled in the lobby of the hotel and were escorted to the Gran Teatro by a group of Cuban models. The Gran Teatro is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen, sweeping double staircases took us upstairs to the 26ft mahogany bar which today's contestants would have the privilege of standing behind. As judging team B were all from the UK we tucked into a very cleansing and refreshing cup of tea before the judging commenced.
In the 4 hours of judging we met contestants from Lithuania, Russia, Dublin, Croatia, Switzerland, Sweden and even India. The drinks were very varied and the enthusiasm impressive. One of my favourite drinks of the day had radiccio and black cherries as ingredients. Contestants were supposed to make all 3 drinks in 10 minutes but quite a few took up to 30 minutes. We were also given some cool gifts/bribes which included herbal sweets, cigars and chocolate. There aren't many people who can say their work consisted of tasting 30 cocktails whilst drinking cups of tea and smoking cigars!
I was in a group with Tony C and Dave Broom so a recipe for much mischief and great banter. We assembled in the lobby of the hotel and were escorted to the Gran Teatro by a group of Cuban models. The Gran Teatro is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen, sweeping double staircases took us upstairs to the 26ft mahogany bar which today's contestants would have the privilege of standing behind. As judging team B were all from the UK we tucked into a very cleansing and refreshing cup of tea before the judging commenced.
In the 4 hours of judging we met contestants from Lithuania, Russia, Dublin, Croatia, Switzerland, Sweden and even India. The drinks were very varied and the enthusiasm impressive. One of my favourite drinks of the day had radiccio and black cherries as ingredients. Contestants were supposed to make all 3 drinks in 10 minutes but quite a few took up to 30 minutes. We were also given some cool gifts/bribes which included herbal sweets, cigars and chocolate. There aren't many people who can say their work consisted of tasting 30 cocktails whilst drinking cups of tea and smoking cigars!
Behind the scenes at the Grand Prix
I see Randall beat me to it writing about the difficulty of ingredients for some competitors. It sounds like customs was a lottery and many bartenders spent last night and this morning madly dashing around Havana looking for many taken for granted ingredients. I asked Nick, Glen and Meimi, who are over seeing the organisation of all Grand Prix events and generally helping the contestants what were the most challenging items they had been asked for.
Apparently an expresso machine was top of the list as well as strawberries and lemons, neither of which are found in Cuba. Star fruit kept popping up also as a confiscated item but I judged at least 2 cocktails today which had star fruit for the garnish.
It isn't just the ingredients that the competitors need, there are 5 days of events to be catered for. Nick and Glen have ordered 1400 limes for the 5 days and 2000 sprigs of mint for the 1000 mojitos that will be consumed. Glen was sent out to the mint fields to select the mint himself.
Having just finished judging for the day, I am more than impressed with the range and variety of ingredients that did make it through it customs.
Apparently an expresso machine was top of the list as well as strawberries and lemons, neither of which are found in Cuba. Star fruit kept popping up also as a confiscated item but I judged at least 2 cocktails today which had star fruit for the garnish.
It isn't just the ingredients that the competitors need, there are 5 days of events to be catered for. Nick and Glen have ordered 1400 limes for the 5 days and 2000 sprigs of mint for the 1000 mojitos that will be consumed. Glen was sent out to the mint fields to select the mint himself.
Having just finished judging for the day, I am more than impressed with the range and variety of ingredients that did make it through it customs.
Hotel Sevillia
On Friday night the judges, finalists and VIP's were taken to the roof top restaurant and bar for a drinks reception at Hotel Sevilla. Hotel Sevilla is 102 years old and absolutely stunning.
During the 1930's it was the place to be seen and was not only graced by high society but also the likes of Graham Greene and Josephine Baker. Al Capone was also a frequent visitor.
We were greeted by the Havana Club models and whilst we watched the sun set over Havana a pianist played classic songs of yesteryear. The pictures that adorned the walls of the bar from the 30's captured the glamour of the age perfectly and the traditional dress of the Cantineros helped to add to the feeling of being transported back in time.
Michael, as always, was the perfect host and we were joined by the Cuban press who were very interested in the global gathering of judges.
To top the evening off we were given the most incredible treat, a taste and toast with Havana Club Maximo.
Havana Club have made sure throughout this trip that every one of our senses has been given the Cuban experience!
During the 1930's it was the place to be seen and was not only graced by high society but also the likes of Graham Greene and Josephine Baker. Al Capone was also a frequent visitor.
We were greeted by the Havana Club models and whilst we watched the sun set over Havana a pianist played classic songs of yesteryear. The pictures that adorned the walls of the bar from the 30's captured the glamour of the age perfectly and the traditional dress of the Cantineros helped to add to the feeling of being transported back in time.
Michael, as always, was the perfect host and we were joined by the Cuban press who were very interested in the global gathering of judges.
To top the evening off we were given the most incredible treat, a taste and toast with Havana Club Maximo.
Havana Club have made sure throughout this trip that every one of our senses has been given the Cuban experience!
Rum and Chocolate with Dave Broom
On the Friday of the Havana Club Grand Prix it was time for some of the judges to share their knowledge with the contestants and visitors. Another impressive part of this whole event, Havana Club have really made the most of each element of their invitees. Many other competitions or global gatherings of cocktail folk wouldn't think to give the next generation of up and coming bartenders access to their judges and their considerable experience and information on many aspects of the craft.
I picked a seminar that included two of my favourite things, rum and chocolate!
Dave Broom steered us through this wonderfully delicious subject, Dave also covered a brief history of Cuba and the history of rum, it was also the first time I had tasted the entire Havana Club range in a while.
I'm delighted that I now know which chocolate to match with each rum. Evenings in watching TV will now forever be transformed for the better as I sip Havana 7 year old with a dark Valrhona chocolate.
I picked a seminar that included two of my favourite things, rum and chocolate!
Dave Broom steered us through this wonderfully delicious subject, Dave also covered a brief history of Cuba and the history of rum, it was also the first time I had tasted the entire Havana Club range in a while.
I'm delighted that I now know which chocolate to match with each rum. Evenings in watching TV will now forever be transformed for the better as I sip Havana 7 year old with a dark Valrhona chocolate.
Dinner in Havana
Last night I got to experience a very unique part of Havana courtesy of Meimi Sanchez, the UK ambassador for Havana Club. I first met Meimi a few years ago when she was honing her bar tending skills at Bramble in Edinburgh. She has been with Havana Club for the last 2 years and is Cuban born and bred, although lived in Edinburgh from the age of 13. Her father lives in Havana and she invited myself and a bunch of the other visitors from the UK for dinner.
Tony C of 69 Colebrooke Row had led a fishing expedition earlier that day and the Mahi Mahi they had caught was on the menu for dinner.
We jumped into taxis outside the hotel, now I must say this is the coolest taxi I've ever been in. The cars in Havana are mostly from the 1950's and some of them are in mint condition.
We arrived at Meimi's father house and the guys, team UK, Marcus and Nino helped him prepare the fish whilst we drank refreshing Havana Club cocktails. Meimi's father's house was high ceilings and colonial pillars. Him and his family were the perfect hosts and the evening was spent hearing tales of fishing, reminiscing about bars, that had come and gone, in London and general industry mischief.
A home cooked meal in the heart of Havana of the freshest fish caught by some great bartenders is a memory I will never forget. Thank you Meimi!
Tony C of 69 Colebrooke Row had led a fishing expedition earlier that day and the Mahi Mahi they had caught was on the menu for dinner.
We jumped into taxis outside the hotel, now I must say this is the coolest taxi I've ever been in. The cars in Havana are mostly from the 1950's and some of them are in mint condition.
We arrived at Meimi's father house and the guys, team UK, Marcus and Nino helped him prepare the fish whilst we drank refreshing Havana Club cocktails. Meimi's father's house was high ceilings and colonial pillars. Him and his family were the perfect hosts and the evening was spent hearing tales of fishing, reminiscing about bars, that had come and gone, in London and general industry mischief.
A home cooked meal in the heart of Havana of the freshest fish caught by some great bartenders is a memory I will never forget. Thank you Meimi!
Unusual ingredients
Judging Part 2: accessories, unusual ingredients...and salads!
I thought I would tell you a bit more about the judging from yesterday and about some of the amazing drinks we were given the opportunity to try. I've judged a few cocktail competitions in my time but the wide array of garnishes, accessories and weird and wonderful ingredients experienced at the Havana Club Grand Prix will be hard to beat.
The four finalists for tonight have now been announced, but in reality everyone was a winner as they got to participate in a fantastic day in one of the most beautiful settings I've ever seen.
One of our competitors had the most incredible accessories, his Julep came served on a silver tray complete with beautiful silver accessories. His final drink came complete with chocolates and a cigar — we kept hold of the cigar of course!
Some of the cocktail names were entertaining, too. My personal favourite was 'Bay of Figs'.
The drink that really stood out though for innovation was one that contained radicchio, black cherries and cream.
I'm excited for tonight and to find out who will be the overall winner of the Havana Club Grand Prix 2010!
The four finalists for tonight have now been announced, but in reality everyone was a winner as they got to participate in a fantastic day in one of the most beautiful settings I've ever seen.
One of our competitors had the most incredible accessories, his Julep came served on a silver tray complete with beautiful silver accessories. His final drink came complete with chocolates and a cigar — we kept hold of the cigar of course!
Some of the cocktail names were entertaining, too. My personal favourite was 'Bay of Figs'.
The drink that really stood out though for innovation was one that contained radicchio, black cherries and cream.
I'm excited for tonight and to find out who will be the overall winner of the Havana Club Grand Prix 2010!
Arriving in Havana
I have long dreamt of visiting Cuba since living in Key West 18 years ago. There is a Cuban ambience in Key West that teases the senses for the real thing. Despite traveling extensively it took a once in a lifetime invitation from Havana Club to visit Cuba for the Havana Club Grand Prix and contribute to the daily live blog from Havana. The added bonus is that I get to do this with fellow Brit Jay Hepburn from Oh Gosh.
Romantic images of Cuba have swirled about my head since those balmy nights in Key West. The scenery from the taxi as I was driven through Havana did not disappoint, it's rare when a place is exactly as you imagined. The faded grandeur of the colonial architecture made me smile to myself and I looked forward to inspecting the impressive structures further over the coming days.
The itinerary for the Grand Prix reads like a Cuban fantasy wish list, punctuated each day with the tasting of delicious Havana Club cocktails created by some of the world's most accomplished bartenders. I passed the first couple of hours people watching in the lobby of the Hotel Parque Central, various 'tribes' of bartenders were beginning to arrive from 31 countries including India and China. You can spot the different nationalities by their dress and the way they carry themselves. I cannot think of anything other cocktail competition that has managed such a global gathering. Jay and I will be tracking down team UK for an interview later on today.
Romantic images of Cuba have swirled about my head since those balmy nights in Key West. The scenery from the taxi as I was driven through Havana did not disappoint, it's rare when a place is exactly as you imagined. The faded grandeur of the colonial architecture made me smile to myself and I looked forward to inspecting the impressive structures further over the coming days.
The itinerary for the Grand Prix reads like a Cuban fantasy wish list, punctuated each day with the tasting of delicious Havana Club cocktails created by some of the world's most accomplished bartenders. I passed the first couple of hours people watching in the lobby of the Hotel Parque Central, various 'tribes' of bartenders were beginning to arrive from 31 countries including India and China. You can spot the different nationalities by their dress and the way they carry themselves. I cannot think of anything other cocktail competition that has managed such a global gathering. Jay and I will be tracking down team UK for an interview later on today.
Enchanted Evening
The gala dinner and final of the Havana Club Grand Prix 2010 was indeed a truly enchanted evening, the room at the Gran Teatro was stunning! Beautiful painted ceiling with high ceilings and formally dressed white table clothed round tables.
We were greeted by a string quartet and Havana Club models dressed in chic black and red. The ambience was breath taking and Havana Club have managed to invite a group of some of my favourite people in the industry, have been slightly pinching myself throughout this trip that I got to be a part of such a fantastic event.
The judges assembled on stage, Tony C, Ian Burrell and Dave Broom. Mr Duff was our narrator for the evening. I can't imagine the nerves of the contestants having to present in such a grand setting to so many people.
I am personally delighted that Marcus from Quo Vadis in London was announced as overall winner of the Havana Club Grand Prix 2010. Quo Vadis is one of my regular haunts and I've enjoyed many a delicious cocktail at the hands of Marcus. Marcus is the right combination of knowledgeable but humble about his craft.
The evening continued late into the night with fantastic Cuban dances and music, I think there will be many a fuzzy but happy head this morning.
We were greeted by a string quartet and Havana Club models dressed in chic black and red. The ambience was breath taking and Havana Club have managed to invite a group of some of my favourite people in the industry, have been slightly pinching myself throughout this trip that I got to be a part of such a fantastic event.
The judges assembled on stage, Tony C, Ian Burrell and Dave Broom. Mr Duff was our narrator for the evening. I can't imagine the nerves of the contestants having to present in such a grand setting to so many people.
I am personally delighted that Marcus from Quo Vadis in London was announced as overall winner of the Havana Club Grand Prix 2010. Quo Vadis is one of my regular haunts and I've enjoyed many a delicious cocktail at the hands of Marcus. Marcus is the right combination of knowledgeable but humble about his craft.
The evening continued late into the night with fantastic Cuban dances and music, I think there will be many a fuzzy but happy head this morning.
Best moments of the Havana Club Grand Prix
It has been a week since my return to English shores and the Havana Club Grand Prix is ever present in my mind. The imagery and atmosphere of Havana still regularly dances across my thoughts. As I had mentioned Cuba had been long held dream destination of mine.
I'm going to go with my top 5 moments of the Havana Club Grand Prix but I must say that it was one of the most impressive competitions I've ever been a part of, it will only grow in popularity, global involvement and awareness year by year.
Moment 1 - meeting all my fellow judges and walking across Havana to the Gran Teatro, a beautiful and majestic building. We were escorted by Havana Club models and you could feel the buzz of excitement amongst the judges, we had been fully briefed and throughout the day would see 10 contestants per group. Walking into the room with the beautiful mahogany bar with the immaculately dressed Cantinero's standing behind it and looking at the room full of nervous contestants, press and visitors.
I'm going to go with my top 5 moments of the Havana Club Grand Prix but I must say that it was one of the most impressive competitions I've ever been a part of, it will only grow in popularity, global involvement and awareness year by year.
Moment 1 - meeting all my fellow judges and walking across Havana to the Gran Teatro, a beautiful and majestic building. We were escorted by Havana Club models and you could feel the buzz of excitement amongst the judges, we had been fully briefed and throughout the day would see 10 contestants per group. Walking into the room with the beautiful mahogany bar with the immaculately dressed Cantinero's standing behind it and looking at the room full of nervous contestants, press and visitors.
Moment 2 - The Judging
Judging 10 contestants from all over the world. I was lucky
enough to be put in a group with Tony C and Dave Broom both of which
kept me entertained and cool in the sweltering heat of the 4 hour
judging stint. The contestants were so inspiring, they had all put so
much effort into their creations and presentations, we even had the
contestant from India!
Moment 3 - The Gala Dinner
The Gala Dinner - the scale of every evening and dinner laid
on by Havana Club was of the highest standard with great cocktails
provided by the Cantinero's. As mentioned in one of my previous blogs,
they went through a huge amount of limes and mint over the 5 days. The
Cuban dancers that entertained us after dinner were incredible, their
skill and energy hard to match and the setting, a huge vaulted ceiling
room upstairs in the Gran Teatro, white clothed tables and views across
Havana.
Moment 4 - Dinner Chez Meimi
Dinner Chez Meimi. Meimi Sanchez, the UK Havana Club
Ambassador, very kindly invited me to dinner at her father's house on
my 2nd night in Havana. She had been fishing with Tony C during the day
and they had caught a couple of large Mahi Mahi so not only did I get
to eat the freshest fish I've probably ever eaten but I also got to
enjoy the hospitality of a real Cuban home. It was a magical evening,
with a group of us drinking mojitos and cuba libres sharing stories of
our travels through the drinks industry.
Moment 5 - Walking in Havana
Walking in Havana - on my last day I spent the day walking
through the many streets of Havana, there is no better way to drink in
the feel and energy of a city than pounding the pavements for several
hours. My walk culminated in lunch for a couple of hours eating rice
and beans, drinking more Cuba Libres and 'people watching' the people
of Havana.
These memories will last a life time but I hope to be back in Havana again sooner rather than later.
To top it all off, the overall winner of the Havana Club Grand Priz 2010 was an English bartender called Marcis from Quo Vadis!
These memories will last a life time but I hope to be back in Havana again sooner rather than later.
To top it all off, the overall winner of the Havana Club Grand Priz 2010 was an English bartender called Marcis from Quo Vadis!