Dead Parrot bar manager wins Monkey Shoulder’s Ultimate Bartender Championship
White, who beat 120 contestants to the title, wins the chance to run a bar promoted and stocked by the whisky brand at London Cocktail Week in October where he will be able to keep all takings made during the week.
The competition, which ended at the Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans last week, involved 15 rounds in which contestants were tested on their business acumen, HR and management skills as well as general bartending knowledge. This year also saw the introduction of a daily 'scavenger hunt' challenge across New Orleans.
Other finalists (pictured) were Nick Gordon, Cameron Woodger and Jonathon Arthur from Aberdeen bars Orchid and Ninety-Nine and Adam Binnersley of MOJO in Manchester.
White said: "I’m thrilled to be crowned the UK’s Ultimate Bartender for the second year in a row. Monkey Shoulder really stepped up the competition this year but the scavenger hunt around New Orleans was the real icing on the cake. The trophy will take pride of place in the bar whilst planning for London Cocktail Week gets underway.”
Grant Neave, Monkey Shoulder’s UK brand ambassador said: “The Ultimate Bartender Championship is all about challenging the best bartenders on the UK bar scene. Dave did a great job across the new challenges and the scavenger hunt, proving he definitely has the skills to pay the bills. And what better place to celebrate his win at the home of cocktails; the Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans”.
The Dead Parrot bar opened in the centre of Horsham in 2014. Its team won last year's Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender competion and took £13k at London Cocktail Week 2015.
