Ralston does it best

Bartender cops Champions Trophy in Tryall Club Cocktail Challenge competition

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

There is a special delight that comes from a well-made cocktail and on Monday night, patrons got the opportunity to charm their taste buds at the grand finale of Tryall Club Cocktail Challenge competition.

Five in-house bartenders competed in this challenge, where, over a period of five weeks they were granted the exclusive opportunity to flex their mixology skills. With an influx of fresh ingredients, they displayed their originality by morphing new concepts out of old favourites, much to the delight of everyone in attendance.

The finale featured two mixology rounds. Round one saw bartenders using five minutes to prepare their signature drink from pre-selected ingredients; whereas round two tested their creativity by granting 15 minutes to prepare an innovative drink from a basket of mystery ingredients.

Where most packed up a potent punch, the judges commented that the winning cocktails maintained a level balance which is one of the key elements of winning a mixology competition.

"The drink must maintain the right balance. There should not be any one ingredient taking precedence over others. All the ingredients must come together in a harmonious taste and flavor,'' said Judge Melissa Fletcher, who is also the All-Island Bartender Champion for 2011 and 2012.

Not surprising to many patrons, at the end of the night, the winning trophy went to Shamond Ralston, whose signature drink, 'Copper Sunset' got everyone making rounds to his table. He later cemented his mixology prowess with his mystery drink 'Smile Jamaica' which contained elements of fresh mango, watermelon, ginger, peach schnapps, lime and Appleton rum.

On accepting the winner's trophy, Ralston who was perspiring heavily, graciously expressed his appreciation.

"I feel like Michael Jackson, speechless," he said. "I simply mixed up some ingredients and asked persons to taste the results, and here I am, a winner. Now, this is showing me that I need to be creative in everything I do."

Throughout the night, several rounds of enjoyable hors d'oeuvres were also presented to guests by a group of attentive waiters. Some of the offerings included curry chicken on crispy pitta bread, smoked salmon on seaweed salad, pig in a blanket, and goat cheese in puff pastry with tomato sauce.