Top Bartenders Battle It Out to Come Up with Cathay Pacific's New Signature Inflight Drinks
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited | Apr. 26, 2007
On April 26, Cathay Pacific Airways brought together around 30 of Hong Kong's top bartenders for a unique cocktail competition. Organised in conjunction with the Hong Kong Bartenders Associations (HKBA), the aim of the competition was to select two new signature drinks - one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic - to be served to the airline's First and Business Class passengers across its global network.
The contest attracted the city's top bar staff from leading hotels, restaurants and bars. The winning alcoholic cocktail was created by Gerald Bedana from Morton's of Chicago and named "Cloud 9". The cocktail is a blend of vodka and fresh lemon juice with mint leaf.
The non-alcoholic category was won by Cheng Ka-chun who works at Spoon at the InterContinental Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. His winning creation, "Rosemary", uses sour plum tea, honey and fresh lemon juice.
The event was hosted by Cathay Pacific General Manager Inflight Services Peter Langslow and HKBA President Neil Wong with a panel of judges made up by leading food critics/wine commentators Lau Chi-sun, Louisa Wong, Eric Wong and Wilson Kwok. The contestants had a fixed time to prepare their cocktails, which were evaluated on taste, presentation, ease of preparation and whether it matched the unique image of the airline.
Peter Langslow said: "Our sincere thanks go to all contestants for their imagination and mixing skills, while our heartiest congratulations go to Gerald Bedana and Cheng Ka Chun for coming up with the winning creations. Cathay Pacific is committed to offering the best food and beverage experiences to and we look forward to serving the winning creations on our flights very soon."
Both winners received a special trophy and a pair of Cathay Pacific Business Class tickets in honour of their mixing skills.
Cathay Pacific first joined together with the HKBA six years ago to hold its inaugural cocktail competition. The two winning drinks - "Cathay Delight" and "Pacific Sunrise" - are still being enjoyed by thousands of passengers on Cathay Pacific flights every week and will remain on the drinks list together with the new winning cocktails.
Photograph 1: Cathay Pacific cabin crew with the two winning drinks.
Photograph 2: Around 60 cocktails created at Cathay Pacific Inflight Cocktail Competition.