Jack’s Daniel’s Barman Competition – Semi-Finalists’ Stories

Hi Siham, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi, my name is Siham Lollmahamod and I work at Ambre Hotel. I started as a trainee waiter, worked my way up to become a waiter, and eventually became a chef de rang before becoming a mixologist.

What inspired you to become a mixologist?

I’ve always loved experimenting with different ingredients and creating my own cocktails. As I gained more experience in the hospitality industry, I realized that I wanted to specialize in mixology and create unique drinks that people would love.

How did you feel about coming second in the Jack Daniel’s bartender competition?

I was thrilled to be a part of the competition and coming so close to winning. It was an honor to be able to showcase my skills and to compete against other talented bartenders.

What is your ultimate goal?

My ultimate goal is to become a general manager in the hospitality industry. I believe that by continuing to refine my skills as a mixologist and gaining more experience in other areas of hospitality, I can achieve that goal.

Can you tell us about the cocktail you created for the competition?

Of course. It includes Jack Daniel’s Fire, passion fruit juice, apple puree, and lemon juice.

I wanted to create a drink that had a little bit of everything – sweetness from the apple puree, tartness from the lemon juice, and a spicy kick from the Jack Daniel’s Fire. The passion juice adds a fruity note that balances out the other flavors.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into bartending?

I started working in the hospitality industry as a trainee at La Plantation Hotel after the death of my father which caused me to leave college and support my family. There, my cousin who was a bartender, taught me some tricks and gave me advice on how to make cocktails. Since then, I was hooked on the art of mixology.

That’s an interesting start to your bartending career. What are your aspirations for the future?

Currently, I am a bar supervisor, but my ultimate goal is to become a mixologist. I was really excited to participate in the Jack Daniel’s competition because it was a great opportunity to showcase my skills and learn from other talented bartenders.

Can you tell us about the cocktail you created for the competition?

Of course! My cocktail included Jack Daniel’s fire, elderflower syrup, lemon juice, and grapefruit juice. I wanted to create a unique flavor profile that would stand out and be memorable for the judges.

Hi Raviraj, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi there, my name is Raviraj Gokool and I work at Lux Grand Baie. I’ve been in the hotel industry for six years now, starting as a bar waiter and working my way up to become a bartender.

What inspired you to become a bartender?

I’ve always had a passion for creating cocktails that suit the taste and preference of my clients. I love meeting new people and understanding their particular needs. Bartending allows me to do that every day.

How did you feel about being chosen as a semi-finalist in the Jack Daniel’s bartender competition?

I was thrilled to be selected as a semi-finalist. With all the experience I’ve gained over the years, I felt ready to take part in the competition and showcase my skills.

What do you hope to achieve by participating in the competition?

I want to challenge myself and improve my skills even further. I also hope to network with other bartenders and industry professionals, and to ultimately become a professional bartender in the future.

Can you tell us a little bit about the cocktail you created for the competition?

I think what sets my cocktail apart is the balance of flavors and the use of fresh, natural ingredients. The apple puree adds a sweet and fruity note, while the elderflower syrup provides a floral aroma and the lemon juice adds a tartness to the drink. The soda gives it a refreshing fizz. I wanted to create a drink that not only tasted great, but also reminded people of their favorite vacation memories.

Hi Adam, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a mixologist?

Hello, I’m 33 years old and I work at the Westin Resorts. My journey to becoming a mixologist has been quite a unique one. When I was 19 years old, I dropped out of school and stayed at home for three years. During that time, I taught myself how to read and write in both English and French so that I could find a job.

 And… how did you get into the hospitality industry?

Well, there was a job fair at the Ecole Hoteliere and I was recruited by Hilton Hotel.  I started as a beach boy even though I had no experience. On my first day at work, I saw a bartender mixing cocktails and that’s when I knew I wanted to become a bartender. From there, I worked my way up to become a mixologist.

That’s quite an inspiring story. What keeps you motivated in your career?

It’s definitely not an easy career, but I have a daughter who I want to cater for. She’s my main motivation and one of my reasons that keeps me moving. Also, I have a passion for creating new and unique cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, can you tell us about the cocktail you made for the Jack Daniel’s competition?

Of course, I called it Jasper on Fire. The ingredients I used were Jack Daniel’s Fire, elderflower syrup, fresh lemon juice, and three drops of orange bitters.

 That sounds delicious. Well, congratulations on making it to the competition and thank you for sharing your story with us.

Hello Vinesh, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Vinesh Halkory and I am 25 years old. I work at the Four Seasons and started my career in the industry as a bar waiter before being promoted to bartender. I am very passionate about whisky and love creating new and innovative cocktails.

What inspired you to take part in the Jack Daniel bar competition?

I wanted to challenge myself and showcase my skills on a larger platform. I have always been interested in mixology and the opportunity to participate in a competition featuring a well-known brand like Jack Daniel’s was too good to let go.

What is your ultimate career goal in the hospitality industry?

My dream is to work on a cruise as a bar manager. I think it would be an incredible opportunity to travel the world and meet new people while doing what I love.

Can you tell us about the cocktail you created for the competition?

I used Jack Daniel’s Fire, triple sec, sugar syrup, and lemon juice in my cocktail. I wanted to create a drink that would showcase the unique flavor profile of Jack Daniel’s Fire while also incorporating complementary flavors

Can you tell us about your background and how you got interested in bartending?

I started my career as an animator in events, but one day I saw a bartender at an event I attended and was inspired to become one. I started working as a waiter and observed how the bartenders were making their cocktails, asking questions along the way. Eventually, I learned enough to start making drinks, and I even did a course on becoming a barista. I absolutely love my job and am always eager to help my colleagues.

What was your experience like participating in the Jack Daniel’s competition?

Participating in the Jack Daniel’s competition was tough, intense, and a lifetime experience for me. It was a great opportunity to showcase my skills and creativity, and I learned a lot from the experience. It was a real challenge, but I enjoyed every moment of it.

What are your future goals as a bartender?

My goal in the future is to become a bar manager. I want to continue to develop my skills and knowledge in the field. I am passionate about bartending and I want to continue to challenge myself and grow as a professional. Hopefully one day, I get to run my own bar.

Can you describe the cocktail you concocted in the semi-finals?

Sure, my cocktail recipe for the semi-finals was made with Jack Daniel’s fire, triple sec, passion juice, and 3 drops of lemon juice. It’s a well-balanced drink that combines the smokiness of the whiskey with the sweetness of the passion fruit and the citrus notes of the lemon juice. It was a hit with the judges and I was really pleased with the way it turned out.

Can you start by telling us a bit about your background and how you got into bartending?

Hello, I am Adarsh, 27 years old and I’ve been working in the hospitality industry for 9 years now. I started out as a buffet boy at Beachcomber Hotel at Trou-aux-Biches and while working there, I became interested in cocktail making. I used to study during my lunch breaks and would ask my friends, who were chefs, questions about cocktails. I worked really hard to learn and improve my skills. And that’s how I became a bartender.

That’s really impressive. How has your experience been as a bartender so far?

It’s been great, I’m really passionate about my job and I love being able to create unique cocktails that people enjoy. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people and learn from other bartenders in the industry.

Can you tell us a bit about your experience with the Jack Daniel’s barman competition?

Participating in the Jack Daniel’s barman competition was a life-changing experience for me. It’s a world-class competition that really challenges your skills as a bartender. I was very proud to have made it to the semi-finals and the competition has really motivated me to continue improving my craft.

That’s great to hear. Can you also tell us about the cocktail that you made during the semi-finals?

Sure, I used a blend of apple puree, lime juice, a dash of orange bitters, Jack Daniel’s Fire and sugar syrup to craft my cocktail. My goal was to create a distinct and harmonious flavor combination that would leave a lasting impression on the judges. I’m truly proud of the cocktail I created and I received positive feedback from the judges.

Could you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Hi there. My name is Avinash Dookhee and I’m 34 years old. I work at La Pirogue hotel and have been in the hospitality industry for 10 years. During my school days, I interned at Domaine Anna and was captivated by the glamor of the hospitality sector. That experience led me to pursue a career in the industry, and I started as a waiter before working my way up to become a bartender. I’m very passionate about my job and find it incredibly fulfilling to meet new people and make their experiences enjoyable.

That’s great to hear. Can you tell us more about your experience in the recent Jack Daniel’s barman competition?

Absolutely. The competition was very well-organized and provided an enriching experience for everyone involved. I was one of the 10 semi-finalists and had a fantastic time competing against other talented bartenders. For the semi-final round, I used Jack Daniel’s Fire, triple sec, lime juice, elderflower syrup, and dashes of orange bitters to create my cocktail.

Hi, Could you please introduce yourself?

My name is Pravish Bundun, I am 25 years old.I started working as a waiter when I was 18 years old. I was always fascinated by the art of mixology and knew I wanted to become a bartender one day. I have been working in the industry ever since, and I am currently a bartender.

What inspired you to become a bartender?

I was impressed by the creativity and precision involved in making cocktails. I have always had a passion for learning new things, and the art of mixology allows me to do just that.

What are your goals in the industry?

My goal is to continue to learn and grow as a bartender. I want to gain as much experience as possible, and I hope to participate in many bartender competitions in the future.

Can you tell us about your experience in the Jack Daniel’s bartender competition?

The competition was a great experience. It was well organized and gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills as a bartender. I am grateful for the experience and the opportunity to learn from other talented bartenders.

Can you share the recipe of the cocktail you used in the semi-finals?

Yes, I used Jack Daniel’s Fire, lime juice, green apple syrup, triple sec, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, and topped it off with soda.