Cocktails and competitions have been stirring up in Los Angeles! Recently Ryan Wainwright has taken the title for the "Most Imaginative Bartender" based on appearance, aroma, imagination, and taste for his creation of a "Fogless Fizz" cocktail using Bombay Sapphire Gin. Open to LA’s crowd of cocktail aficionados, guests and judges gathered at Sassafras Saloon to sample cocktails made by LA and San Diego’s most talented mixologists. After careful deliberation, the judges named Wainwright to be the winner!
"My whole goal going into it was to remind myself that making an Imaginative drink requires as much restraint as it does creative ingredients," explains Wainwright. "Keep it simple, keep it clean, let the Bombay Sapphire shine through; that's what I kept telling myself."
All of his hard work and dedication paid off because after being crowned winner, Wainwright, was given a quick turnaround and also took part in the 6th Annual Luckyrice Festival held at Create Nightclub in Hollywood. The fete enabled guests to sample imaginative cocktails and many Asian-inspired fare!
You can imagine the line that created around Wainwright as he created another mind blowing cocktail using Bombay Sapphire East Gin! "I must say this was a really great event and I had a lot of fun making some seriously good drinks (in the) beautiful blue tucked away bar" Wainwright stated. "It was such a cool crowd and I received a lot of positive feedback (plus) it was great to see all those faces I know from around the LA bar scene - I don't think there was ever a low moment!"
Wainwright has kept busy perfecting his craft and in terms of his next move, well it's the next competition- in Las Vegas! The United States Bartenders' Guild, USBG, the leading beverage service professionals, have invited a selection of promising bar ending talent to compete in the regional finals of the "Ninth Annual Most Imaginative Bartender" competition. Here, Wainwright will share the stage with 28 of North America's top competitors for a chance at the title. The winner will also receive a special cover on GQ magazine's "Men of the Year" in December 2015.
"Vegas is the next step and I am looking forward to it. I think what people can expect is clean and elegant flavors and always making sure the spirit shines through," exclaimed Wainwright. "I can't wait to see what is in store for me and I really hope to bring home the award for LA for the first time. It would be a very special thing."
Best of luck to Ryan Wainwright as he heads to Las Vegas to vie for the North America crown of "Most Imaginative Bartender". Be sure to tune in on September 2, 2015!
