A bar manager from Newcastle is enjoying the taste of success after achieving the highest UK score in an international cocktail competition in Bordeaux.
Katie Mundy, the bar manager at Secco on Pilgrim Street battled it out alongside 130 cocktail shakers from 27 countries at an International Bartenders Seminar and Cocktail Competition staged by French drinks company Marie Brizard.
She achieved the highest score in the UK for her cocktail making skills where she was given ingredients such as watermelon, Anisette, mint and pineapple juice and asked to create the perfect drink. She was scored 16th overall and also received a special certificate of commendation.
The trip also included a visit around the Marie Brizard vineyard and distillery, wine tasting sessions and an annual dinner. The seminar covered topics such as the art and manner of preparing cocktails and the practice and customs of the bartenders' job and typical features of each country including ethics, rules and differences. The seminar also gave delegates the opportunity to talk about fashion and trends regarding cocktail consumption in different countries.
The course was run by Lucien Dambreville, former runner-up in the World Long Drink Cocktail Championship. He said: "Cocktails are very fashionable in every big city in the world but the art of preparing cocktails remains the prerogative of professionals and specialists who benefit from advanced training.
"In countries such as the UK, we notice a new trend for classical cocktails like the Americano or the Grasshopper mixed in very trendy bars like Secco. The current fashionable flavour seems to be lime used in cocktails like Caïpirinha."
Katie (23) who lives in Newcastle has worked for Secco for one year and as well as passing her NVQ in Bar Tending through Learn Direct is currently studying a 15-week course in Bar Management through Brenikov Associates in Jesmond.
She said: "I had an amazing time in Bordeaux and really enjoyed meeting bar tenders from other countries. I was really nervous about representing the UK but I'm glad that I came away with the highest score and did Secco and Newcastle proud. The trip was a real eye opener and I've made lots more contacts in the business."
Secco is owned by The Gusto Group, an independent family firm that also runs Popolo, Paradiso and Intermezzo and employs 90 staff. Secco Bar and Balcony opened last year to add a touch of sophistication to the drinking scene in Newcastle and serves a cutting edge cocktail list.
Secco's Ristorante Salentino was also in the news last month after receiving a Harden's Remy Award, making it the best Italian restaurant outside London .
Aldo De Giorgi, director of The Gusto Group said: "Training is really important to us at Secco to enable us to stay one step ahead of our competitors and we were delighted when Katie was invited to take part in the annual Bartenders Competition in Bordeaux. Katie has returned back to work with loads of new ideas which will benefit our customers and we're really proud of her."
To see Katie in action visit Secco on 86 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle tel: 0191 230 0777
Marie Brizard was founded in Bordeaux in 1755. Originally the firm made its name with the aniseed liqueur that was later to become the Marie Brizard anisette, but it now makes a wide range of cocktail-based liqueurs, spirits, non-alcoholic drinks, and wines.
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