First place in the World Cocktail Competition in Las Vegas, held this November, was won by Maltese bartender Neville Azzopardi.

Mr Azzopardi has been employed with Island Hotels Group for the past 10 years and is currently the Bars Manager at the Bugibba Holiday Complex. He is also a member of the Maltese Bartenders Guild. Mr Gaetano Cristina, President of the Maltese Bartenders Guild commented, “This is the highest achievement that any of the Guild’s members have ever achieved since its inception way back in 1974. This augurs well for the future of bartending on the island.”

Mr Azzopardi won the privilege to represent Malta after winning the local heats organised in Malta by the Maltese Bartenders Guild. He competed against some of the best bartenders on the island, all of whom are members of the Guild. His winning cocktail Recall won him such prestigious award, following intense competition against bartenders from another 45 countries.

The event was organised by

The International Bartenders Association and was held in Las Vegas in November.

Mr Azzopardi has also competed in and won the 1996 Mediterranean Amaretto cocktail competition, the 1997 International dietetic cocktail competition as well as various other national cocktail competitions.

In commenting on such achievement, Winston J. Zahra, Director of Operations of Island Hotels Group said this is an excellent achievement for Neville personally and an honour for Island Hotels Group as well as Malta. “Such a result should help inspire local barmen and other employees within the hospitality industry. For someone Maltese to win a worldwide competition such as this is indeed an achievement that we should all be proud of,” concluded Zahra.

Neville’s Winning Recipe

2cl Vodka – Aristoff

1cl Granadine – George Monin

1cl Passion – George Monin

1cl Apricot Brandy – De Kuyper Liqueurs

2cl Fresh Orange Juice