IFL Grand Final

BARTENDING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL – INDEPENDENT FLAIR LEAGUE GRAND FINAL IN WARSAW!

The final IFL play-offs - the international league Flair bartending competition 2011 have finished. They were held under the patronage of: Captain Morgan, Smirnoff Black, Schweppes, Red Bull, Finest Call and Carlsberg. The competition is a part of Grand Slam of the World Flair Association - the biggest global cycle of bartending events.

On December 3 in Warsaw, in the morning qualifying rounds we could see over 20 competitors representing i.a. Argentina, UK, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Ukraine, Austria, the USA and Poland. Among the Flair Bartenders we could also admire the world’s top bartenders - Tom Dyer, Gianluigi Bosco, Rodrigo Delpeche or Tomek Małek.

After the morning technical qualifying rounds, the best eleven bartenders got promoted to the evening final - the show was opened by Sabine Posch, who bravely represented Austria and women-bartenders. In front of the numerous audience the competitors had to prepare two cocktails within 7 minutes: Moscow Mule with Smirnoff Black and Schweppes Ginger Ale and their own composition with the obligatory use of Captain Morgan and Schweppes. Additionally, the contenders had to present Perfect Serve of Red Bull and Carlsberg beer.

The competitors were assessed by an international jury: Michał Kośnik from Evolutionbar (Poland), Cezary Broda from Carlsberg (Poland), Marcin Masakra Osypiński from Flair Academy (Poland) and WFA representatives - Tug van den Bergh (the Republic of South Africa) and Andy Collinson.

The judges assessed the style, difficulty of evolutions, smoothness of tricks, showmanship, rhythm and composure. Penalty points were given for dropping, splitting and glass-breaking, bonus points were given for no failures and for a showy beer serve.

All cocktails were also assessed in terms of looks, taste and smell by special guests from the show-business. Among the audience there were i.a. TV-presenters Paulina Sykut and Tomasz Zubilewicz, sport journalist Rafał Patyra, actor Piotr Zelt, footballer Tomasz Iwan and music producer Mark Tysper.

The final Gala was hosted by Przemysław JahJah Frankowski from the Antyradio station and Tyson Davies, MC Roadhouse World Flair. Music was provided by DJ Alexx Vargazzz.
After a great show Tom Dyer from the UK came first and won EUR 3000. This World Champion from 2009 is nicknamed “Dangerous”. The runner-up was Rodrigo Delpech from Argentina (EUR 1000), who returned to competitions after a longer pause and visited Poland for the first time. Marek Posłuszny from Poland took third place (EUR 500). Further places in the scorecard were taken by: Tomasz Małek (Poland), Gianluigi Bosco (Italy), Marcin Cebula (Poland), Alex Searle (UK), Alvaro Pagnanelli (Italy), Maciej Chojara (Poland), Danny Bakiev (Ukraine) and Sabine Posch (Austria). Marek Posłuszny was distinguished for the best presentation of Schweppes (PLN 2000 prize), the best Perfect Serve of Carlsberg beer was made by Tomek Małek and won a contract to be realised during Euro 2012 with Carlsberg (PLN 2000). The most interesting presentation of Finest Call was made by Marek Posłuszny. All participants received bartending kits funded by APS Glass & Bar Supply company; three top Polish bartenders got invited to educational and business conference held by European Financial Group.
During the IFL Grand Final the greatest Flair Bartenders put their signatures on a specially prepared IFL plate of limited edition. The signed plates together with a certificate of authenticity will be passed to the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) and will be put up for auction during the 20th WOŚP final on January 8, 2012.
The IFL Grand Final ended this year’s edition of the Independent Flair League - the biggest league competition for bartenders in Poland. In 2011 over 400 people participated in the IFL competition. Qualifying rounds took place at the International School for Bartenders and Sommeliers in Warsaw and during the Flair Fight play-offs. The Grand Final gathered the world’s best Flair competitors and an international jury from the Republic of South Africa, the UK and host-country Poland.