Assaf Yechiel was crowned as the winner of the Bombay Sapphire, South Africa’s Most Imaginative Bartender – an event for the country’s most creative bartenders, held on 18th February 2013 at 15 on Orange in Cape Town and hosted by Bombay Sapphire, the world’s number one premium gin by value. Assaf was crowned the winner out of the 9 handpicked contestants who competed from around the country, as he impressed the judges with his “Bombay brilliant” the winning cocktail – selected for its exquisite taste and the imaginative use of the key ingredient, Bombay Sapphire gin.
Bombay Sapphire South Africa Brand Ambassador, Kevin Snyman, who hosted the competition in South Africa said, “The competition was held to bring together some of South Africa’s best trained mixologists, giving them an opportunity to share ideas, interact, show off some skills and ultimately compete for the title of Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender South Africa competition. My expectations were tremendously exceeded and credit needs to be given to all those that attended and made the event a success.”
As the winner of South Africa’s Most Imaginative Bartender, Assaf progresses to the World’s Most Imaginative Bartender 2013, which will see him compete with bartenders from across the world as they travel to Tuscany, Italy – home to one of Bombay Sapphire’s key botanicals – Juniper Berries. Whilst on the trip, bartenders will enjoy experiences related to both the culture of Italy and the origins of Bombay Sapphire. All finalists will be encouraged to use these experiences as inspiration to create an imaginative cocktail with the ultimate goal to be crowned the World’s Most Imaginative Bartender 2013.
Bombay Sapphire Global Brand Ambassador, Raj Nagra, who will host the global competition in Tuscany commented: “It has always been the ambition of the Bombay Sapphire brand team to create a platform that nurture and develops the most promising talent from behind the bar and that is what South Africa’s Most Imaginative Bartender achieves. Throughout the regional competitions we look to inspire and educate bartenders from across the country and aim to support them on their journey to becoming the most imaginative bartenders in the world.
