Westport barman to represent Ireland in cocktail competition

Westport’s Kevin Kennedy to represent Ireland at Cuban Cocktail Grand Prix


Neill O’Neill
neilloneill@mayonews.ie

IT’LL be Castro and Cigars for Westport man Kevin Kennedy when he jets off to exotic Cuba in June, to represent Ireland in the Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix.
Kennedy, a bartender at the Hotel Westport, was crowned winner at the recent Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard Havana Club National Grand Prix Cocktail Competition in Dublin, claiming the coveted prize after competing against twelve other finalists from around the country.
He will now represent his country on the international stage, and will travel to the Caribbean island of Cuba to compete in the international Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix.
Bartenders from across Ireland were invited to compete for the coveted prize to represent Ireland in Havana, and with over 50 entries received through the Barsmarts Ireland Facebook page, the final 12 contestants were chosen by Liam Sparks, Meimi Sanchez, Havana Club Brand Ambassador, UK and last year’s Irish representative. Rafael Agapito.
Kevin will now go on to compete in the world final in Cuba against over 40 talented bartenders from around the globe. The Havana Club Grand Prix is the world’s most revered cocktail competition.
Over the five days, a vast array of bar-tending styles and techniques, innovative ideas and twists on classic Cuban cocktails will be demonstrated.

HAVE YOUR SAY email neilloneill@mayonews.ie with your comments