Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor
Christian Self, of 39 Hotel in Honolulu, was crowned champion of the mai tai Saturday evening at the second annual Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival.
Self topped 29 other star bartenders in mixing up the tastiest tropical drink at the Royal Kona Resort and walked away with the tiki trophy and a check for $10,000.
“I’m a bit shellshocked,” Self said. “I’ve been a bartender for 12 years and the mai tai is still my absolute favorite drink.”
The winning recipe will be featured in future Bacardi advertising campaigns.
Judge William Ramos, the head distiller for Bacardi Rum, said it was a difficult decision, although three or four of the drinks stood out.
“It really is tough because I know how much energy and love these guys put into their drinks,” Ramos said. “As far as I’m concerned, they are all champions tonight.”
The contestants had 7 minutes to put their special twist on the iconic exotic cocktail and serve them up to the judges.
In addition to Ramos, judges included Chris Teves, publisher of Hawaii Beverage Guide, and world famous rum and mai tai expert Jeff “Beachbum” Berry. Musician Eric Gilliom also “helped” the judges.
Amy Day of Lahaina Grill was in the first group of three contestants.
“Well, the hard part is done. That was definitely nerve-wrecking, for sure,” she said.
After cheering Self’s win, Day said she looked forward to talk tai with the other bartenders and maybe even sharing some secrets.
“All these guys are so great,” she said. “I’ve had a blast meeting them.”
The Grand Mix-Off featured at least two Big Island barkeeps: Bryan Oakley of Huggo’s and Leah Snyder of the Elks Lodge 2616 Kona.
“The competition was stiff,” Oakley said. “These guys really know there stuff. It’s been great fun.”
Mixologist Joey Gottesman served as master of ceremonies and the event was sponsored by the Royal Kona Resort, Better Brands and Bacardi.
“We’re really lucky to has William Ramos come join us all the way from Puerto Rico,” said Liz Bell, Hawaiian Hotels director of marketing. “This is a great event, so many people are out to enjoy the day. We want to grow the festival to include mai tais, food and music.”
And there was … the day kicked off with a Battle of the BBQ and art marketplace and ended with a concert by Third Eye Blind. Eric Gilliom and Henry Kapono also played during the day.
Hawaiian Hotels & Resorts, which owns and operates the Royal Lahaina Resort and the Royal Kona Resort, is a division of Pleasant Travel Service, a family-owned company headquartered in Newbury Park, CA. Pleasant Travel Service has helped more than 5 million guests create unforgettable vacation memories in Hawaii since 1959.
— Find out more:
www.hawaiihotels.com
www.royalkona.com
www.bacardi.com
Coronado’s Recipe for a Basic Mai Tai
After the contest, Juan Coronado, a mixologist and apprentice to William Ramos, shared his recipe for an awesome basic mai tai.
“Well, of course, you have to start with Bacardi Select, that’s a dark rum, and Bacardi Superior, that’s the light rum,” he said. “That gives it a balance – all the spice and flavor.”
“Then you’ll need orgeat syrup – and you can make that at home – or perhaps some Amaretto. And, of course, then your citrus fruits, all kinds of fruit,” Coronado said, which help bring out the almond flavor.
Splash in some Curcao liqueur, add some pineapple. “You’ve got the have the pineapple,” he said. “That has such full body flavor.”
“Give a good shake,” Coronda said, “and viola! You have perfect mai tai!”
We ate so many barbecued ribs/chicken at Royal Kona Resort cook-off we had no room left in our "opu nuis" (big stomachs) for the Mai Tai drinks. Next time we'll drink first and eat later
There were definitely other B.I. bartenders competing, like “paradise” Brice Ginardi, from Okolemaluna Tiki Lounge in Kona, who placed in the top 3! Folks loved his Ohana mai tai!