Frank Dedieu Wins BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition 2015

By Chilled Magazine

France celebrates taking the trophy for a second time as ‘Le Latin’ is hailed as the BACARDÍ 2015 ‘Legacy’ cocktail.

SYDNEY, May 4th, 2015 – The BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition 2015 concluded last night in celebratory style with Frank Dedieu from France taking home the coveted title. Frank, who works at ‘Redwood’ in Lyon, won the competition with a cocktail inspired by the latin culture that connects the history of the Bacardí family with that of Dedieu’s. ‘Le Latin’ – BACARDÍ Carta Blanca with Viognier wine, lemon juice, olive brine and sugar – beat an incredibly strong field of original drinks created by bartenders from 34 countries, in a closely contested and spectacular final held in front of 400 guests at Sydney’s elegant Town Hall.

“Le Latin is a cocktail that fuses together the elements that we look for in a ‘Legacy’ cocktail; it is a drink I could see being made and enjoyed around the world for many years to come. This year Frank has produced something that feels both original, and yet quintessential. It has been more difficult than ever to pick the winner from such a strong field, but in ‘Le Latin’ I think we truly have the makings of a modern classic.”
– Dickie Cullimore, BACARDÍ Global Brand Ambassador

Frank Dedieu Makes Le Latin

Frank Dedieu Makes Le Latin

“I am so excited to win this evening, and to now have this opportunity with BACARDÍ to bring my drink to the world. It has been the most amazing week. It is wonderful to be taking home the trophy tonight, but I am also taking home so much more in terms of the friendships, knowledge and experiences we have all gained during this week here in Sydney.”
– Frank Dedieu

Frank Dedieu the Winner of The BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition

Frank Dedieu the Winner of The BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition

Frank Dedieu is the 7th winner of the prestigious BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, and last night France became the first country to win the title twice. The competition is now truly creating its own legacy: in 2011 Marc Bonneton was the first BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition champion; he then went on to set up and run the ‘Redwood’ bar in Lyon, the bar that has this year brought us Frank Dedieu.

Past winners such as Marc Bonneton, Shingo Gokan, Elizaveta Evdokimova and Tom Walker have seen their winning ‘Legacy’ cocktail hailed as a new classic, worthy of joining the ranks of iconic cocktails inspired by BACARDÍ rum. BACARDÍ will work with Frank over the next year to provide bespoke support for his career development, gain worldwide recognition for his drink and provide a platform from which he will serve ‘Le Latin’ at some of the finest bars in the world.

The BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition was founded in 2008 to uncover a new generation of cocktails to endure and become the classics of the future. It has established itself as one of the elite cocktail competitions in the world, offering bartenders the once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to gain fame and recognition for their signature drink, writing their own chapter in the enduring history of BACARDÍ. Only a drink offering perfectly balanced ingredients and a timeless taste – the unique qualities associated with BACARDÍ classics such as the Authentic BACARDÍ Mojito, the Original BACARDÍ Daiquirí and the Original BACARDÍ Cuba Libre – can be declared a true ‘Legacy’ cocktail.

Thirty four talented bartenders from around the world travelled to Australia this week to compete for the title. Each had spent several months perfecting and promoting their ‘Legacy’ cocktail to earn the right to represent their country and compete against some of the best bartenders in the world. Before presenting their original interpretation of a modern BACARDÍ Legacy cocktail in the competition semi-finals, they participated in a week-long schedule of events staged at iconic locations around Sydney, rubbing shoulders with some of the true legends of the drinks industry.

“I’ve judged a lot of cocktail competitions, but this has by far been the most difficult. Each finalist showed up tonight; I want to thank all the competitors this week for making me feel proud of what we do. To me, that is the legacy and the purpose of this competition.”
– Grand Final judge Steve Schneider, who has been with the competitors all week in Sydney

BACARDÍ hosted the finalists at a range of educational workshops – from flair skills with legendary Nicolas St Jean on Bondi Beach, to discovering the trends and innovations of the Australian bartending scene with Melbourne’s ‘Black Pearl’ – all were designed to develop the knowledge and skills they need to leave their own unique legacy in the bartending world. Sydney has truly played the ultimate host to BACARDÍ Legacy this year – lining the city’s main street with banners welcoming the competition and packing its prestigious Town Hall with over 400 guests to enjoy the most spectacular Grand Final yet.

Eight competitors were selected to go through to the Grand Final and present their drink in front of an audience of invited guests and a judging panel representing some of the most influence names in the international bartending and spirits community: Maestro de Ron BACARDÍ José Sanchez Gavito; renowned New York bartender Steve Schneider; Ago Perrone, winner of the very first BACARDÍ Legacy Cocktail Competition and Tom Walker who won the competition last year. Runners up were Barney Toy from New Zealand with ‘The Pan Am Cocktail’ and Jad Ballout from Lebanon with ‘El Mediterráneo.’

Judge Ago Perrone said of the winning drink “Le Latin is a drink that is fresh and has a good structure – it combines elements of the traditional and classic cocktails, but also brings innovation and a modern touch. It is easy to replicate and can be made worldwide, the essential elements of a true ‘Legacy’ cocktail. For me, the drink offers a balanced taste and good freshness in which the notes of BACARDÍ rum come through. The saltiness of the olive brine provides a different texture to the palette and I love the olive in the glass. Frank presented his inspiration for the drink elegantly, politely and powerfully; congratulations to him tonight, he is a deserving winner.”

Le Latin

Le Latin

Le Latin

By Frank Dedieu, FRANCE

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 parts BACARDÍ Carta Blanca
  • 2/3 parts white wine (Viognier preferred)
  • 2/3 parts Lemon Juice
  • 2 bar spoons Olive Brine
  • 2 bar spoons Caster Sugar

Method: Shake and strain, garnish with an olive


BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition coming to San Francisco in 2016:

In 2016, the BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition will travel to the USA, taking place in San Francisco. Home to a vibrant and fresh mixology culture, this eclectic city has gained worldwide fame for its trend-setting, tolerance, diversity and beauty. BACARDÍ is thrilled and excited to be bringing next year’s finalists to this iconic location to be inspired to create new legacies.

Connect with BACARDÍ Legacy Global Cocktail Competition

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