Monin Cup 2016 UAE to inspire creativity in young F&B industry professionals

The organisers will also hold a Masterclass by world-renowned mixologist Marian Beke to enhance the creativity of F&B community professionals in general

Dubai, UAE, October 17, 2016:   The Monin Cup 2016, a popular creative competition in the global beverage industry, will host its UAE edition in Dubai on October 23, 2016. The competition is solely aimed at identifying and promoting the talent of young generation of mixologists. The event provides a platform to support and enhance the creativity of young professionals in the industry, and as such, all participants selected in the Cup are aged 27 years or younger.

The Monin Cup is an international competition organised by Monin, the French-based gourmet flavour business solutions group that brings together professional bartenders, who will compete to determine the best drink recipes with Monin products. The event in Dubai is being organized by Fresh Express Beverages, a UAE-based business house and the exclusive distributer of Monin across the UAE.

The Monin Cup, highlights the creativity and inspirations of young, professional mixologists from all around the world, and is being held in more than 60 countries. The winners from each participating country will then compete against each other in Paris, France for the Monin Cup global winner title. The Monin Cup also serves as a platform for the community to learn through workshops, aptly titled Masterclass, which is held as part of the same event. 

Registration for the event in Dubai was open to entry for participants from across the UAE. The competition will be held on October 23, 2016 at the China Grill, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, between 10 am and 5.30 pm. 

Monin is a global leader in gourmet flavours with more than 100-million-euro turnover and a network of exclusive importers in over 140 countries. Monin has carved out a reputation as an imaginative drinks solution provider offering over 140 products.

Fresh Express Beverages is a major name in the UAE's F&B industry with world renowned brands across a spectrum of beverage products and solutions. 

Commenting on the event, Andrea Fidora, Beverage Innovation Director for Monin in Middle East, Africa and Sub-Continent, said, “The Monin Cup has been designed to support the community and encourage creativity in the industry, especially amongst the young and creative professionals. Dubai is a great place for us to conduct this event as a large pool of talents is emerging from here. In addition to the competition, the Monin Cup will feature celebrated mixologist Marian Beke of The Gibson Bar, London, UK as a key speaker on October 23, 2016.” 

Mr. Ghaith Zeidan, Commercial Director – Beverage at Fresh Express, said, “We are excited to bring this international event to the UAE and proud to be a part of this great occasion. Monin is a globally-reputed name in the F&B industry, continuing to innovate and bring incredible flavours to kitchens, coffeehouses, restaurants and bars around the world. As part of the 

Monin Cup, we will hold a Masterclass to reward the competitors and the bartender community in general.” 

Marian will showcase innovative and insightful skills for the participants in a live presentation focusing on creativity and technique. Marian is known as “the king of garnishes” and is credited with elevating the Nightjar bar in London to the third place of the world's 50 best bars in 2014. The Gibson has been rated in the sixth position in the recent ‘World's 50 Best Bars' list, making Marian one of the world's few mixologists, who managed to get two different bars in the top tenth of the best bars in the world, and that happened in just a couple of years. 

On October 23, the competition will run from 10 am to 2 pm for the first round of 10 to 14 participants. The Masterclass, aimed at rewarding the beverage community in the UAE, will take place between the first and final rounds of the Monin Cup, gathering about 150 bartenders from 2 pm to 4 pm on the same day. The finalists will be announced before 4.15 pm post the Masterclass by Marian. The final round with three competitors will happen from 4.30 pm to 5 pm, and the winner will be announced at 5.30 pm.