Old Skool Bar Rules with New Skool Bartenders at Chandiwala Hospitality Ensemble 2015

Bartending is the skill of bartenders engaging guests in a performance using bar tools (e.g. cocktail shakers) and liquor bottles in tricky, dazzling ways. Used occasionally in cocktail bars, the action requires skills commonly associated with jugglers. These days terms like "extreme bartending" or "flairtending” are also being used.

Zone Bar Wizard Bar Challenge Competition held at Chandiwala Hospitality Ensemble 2015 showcased a combination of prominent mixology knowledge and working flair skills, where significantly greater risks were being taken by the participating students. Students included juggling, flipping (bottles, shakers), manipulating flaming liquors or even performing tricks, also referred to as “bar-magic”.

A total of 18 students representing different hotel management colleges across India participated in this competition. Jatin Atwal from DIHM won by preparing “Cosmopolitan” drink (which gained popularity in 1990’s) in an innovative fashion, made using vodka citron, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, triple sec and served in a martini glass. Neham Malhotra from BCIHMCT bagged the 2nd position with “Apple Sprous Martini” and Arushi Agarwal from Auro University was the runner up with her drink “Tandoori Tequila”.

The judges for the competition were Mr. Arjun Dewan, Assistant Manager Food and Beverage, The Oberoi New Delhi, Mr. Rishab Tandon, Training Manager, Crowne Plaza Okhla New Delhi, Mr. Anand Thakur, F & B Manager, Crowne Plaza Okhla New Delhi, Mr. Pankal Balachandran, Restaurant Manager, Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.