The competition is the most important in the world of bartending, making it a significant opportunity to showcase Puerto Rican talent on the international stage.
Almost every passionate professional dreams of earning the highest prize or title in their field. In the world of bartending, that goal is winning the title of World Class Best Bartender de Puerto Rico.
And mixologists Paola Silva, Aramis Castillo, Yosue Cordero and Rafael López share that ambition.
The four are finalists for World Class Puerto Rico, which will be held June 5 in a closed competition. In addition to being named the top bartender at the national level, the winner will represent the Island in the World Class global final in Toronto, Canada, in October of this year.
During the semifinal round, participants had to demonstrate their creativity, technique and command of service through two challenges: one that paid tribute to local identity and Canadian cuisine using Tequila Don Julio as a base, and another focused on creating a luxury multisensory experience centered on the Scotch whisky The Singleton 12-Year-Old.
Other qualifying criteria include narrative, innovation, flavor and connection to the final's host city, Canada, to advance to the final round.
The four finalists and their creations:
🍹 Paola Silva, Bar La Unidad
Silva captured the nostalgia of Puerto Rican sancocho and Canadian hodge-podge in her tequila cocktail with a chicken-skin fat wash and yuca ferment, while her holiday creation with The Singleton brings together mango, coffee and achiote.
"There are many of us women colleagues who are changing the game in the industry […] I feel a positive pressure on my shoulders representing all of us," Silva noted. If she wins, she would be the first woman to represent Puerto Rico in the international competition.
🥭 Rafael López, KUMO
López honored the Indigenous ancestors of Puerto Rico and Canada with a tequila cocktail incorporating achiote, recao and guarapo with sesame, while his creation with The Singleton presents Scotch whisky with mango, coffee and guava in a mist effect.
"In every competition, I carry two words close to my chest: passion and dedication," López said. He arrives as a finalist in his first year competing in World Class.
🌺 Yosue Cordero, Hotel San Juan
Inspired by La Paloma, Cordero crafted a fruity martini with tequila, rosé vermouth and clarified grapefruit, along with a highball with The Singleton, pear brandy and ginger-fermented soda, finished with an electric flower.
"(The cocktail industry) is one more dimension of our country that deserves everything you've got, and you have to represent it with great pride," said Cordero, a native of Aguadilla with nearly 13 years in the field.
🫖 Aramis Castillo, MARO
Castillo bridged the divide between Latin America and North America with innovative fermentation techniques, creating a tequila cocktail with corn chicha, cotija cheese and maple syrup, and a tea ritual with The Singleton, cashew umeshu and black tea.
"For me, it would be the culmination of the last 10 years of my career in the industry […] It would be the equivalent of winning a medal at the Olympics," the mixologist said.
The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges with extensive industry experience, including Gigi Temprano and Héctor Ortiz, Diageo brand ambassadors, the brand that sponsors the event.
Also on the jury were Michael Norat and Jonathan Meléndez, winners of previous editions of World Class Puerto Rico, along with Carlos Aponte, a spirits specialist at Méndez & Co.
Meanwhile, the title of World Class Best Bar remains in play, as participating bars continue to accumulate points through their visibility, innovative offerings and the experience they provide their customers.
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This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
