Bartender represents UAE at Monin Cup finals in Paris
Kathlene Magday from Mint Leaf of London won the UAE heats of the Monin Cup. She fought off 15 other finalists, whittled down from more than 70 registrations, from across venues in the country, including Burj Al Arab, Fairmont hotels, Waldorf Astoria, Grosvenor House Dubai, and more.
Her winning cocktail was called ‘The Black Jack’ and was an Absinthe cocktail created using Monin’s green apple syrup along with Hapsburg, Jack Daniel’s honey,  lemon juice and ginger. The first runner up was Stephan Mases from Burj Al Arab, while the second runner up position went to Ankush Kondal from JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai.
Representing the UAE at the Monin Cup final in Paris
The first event, which was held at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, had a panel of six judges: Monin’s Andrea Fidora (head judge); Zuma bar manager Jimmy Barrat (sensory judge); Fresh Express brand manager Lasanthi de Silva (sensory judge); Atelier M bar manager Tomas Dundulis (sensory judge); MMI beverage training manager Nick Ord (sensory judge); Jose Cuervo brand ambassador Hirman Asnadi (technical judge); Patiala bar manager Archie Avinante (technical judge). The Monin Cup is a competition that brings together professional bartenders competing through creating the best recipes using Monin products, based on a cocktail and  a mocktail. The bartenders must be younger than 27 years of age, as the “French firm is keen to highlight the next generation of talented and passionate bartenders”.
Paris, December 2014, The Finals!
Last week, Kath travelled to the International finals in Paris in order to represent the Emirates in the final leg of the competition. The team at Hapsburg are proud of Kath for making it to the final stages of the competition and winning the first round in the Europe and Middle East category. All 36 participants and many spectators watched Kath at the Electric Roof Top in Paris, and witnessed her outstanding performance. The first rounds theme was to create short drink that would represent the country of origin in terms of flavor and appearance.
Kath’s wonderful concoction of Hapsburg Absinthe , Elijah Craig Bourbon, Monin Rose Syrup, and cold pressed apple juice together with the beautiful and unique presentation secured Kath first place out of  33 other country representative winners!
The first round of finished cocktails including Kath’s Hapsburg concoction
With highest score overall in the first round she lead  over another five people and against winners of Asian Monin Cup. Unfortunately Kath’s luck changed in the second round and she didn’t go through to the finals.This years prize goes to the representative  from the Ukraine. Congratulations to all the Winners on their performances and to Monin on a great competition!
Well done Kath from the team at Hapsburg Absinthe and the brand owners at Wine and Spirit International Ltd!
UAE representative for the 2014 Monin Cup, Ms. Kath Magday together with founder of Monin, Mr. Olivier Monin