CLASS speaks to Jelena Bulatovskaja from Sexy Fish, the winner of Amaro Montenegro's The Vero Bartender UK Final, which took place on last week at Florattica Rooftop London.
CLASS: Congrats - you're the Vero Bartending champion! What's the experience been like?
Honestly, it’s been great! Very well organised, clear instructions and everyone has been amazing to work with. The environment was also very supportive, although of course I was nervous I felt very comfortable and supported.
CLASS: This year’s theme was Stirring the 60s - tell us about how you captured the spirit of this iconic time through your cocktail
I looked beyond what the 60s had to offer. For me it was about going deeper than the service and really finding a niche that could bring us back to that decade. When it comes to my cocktail, I wanted to make a simple serve - there was no complicated drinks in the 60s and I wanted to translate that.
CLASS: How did you balance the use of Amaro Montenegro with the other ingredients, so it both blended with the flavour profile of the cocktail, while also standing out?
Amaro Montenegro is a very special ingredient. Because of the unique 6 flavour profiles, it really standouts in a drink. I chose to highlight 2 of the profiles - warm tropical and roasted. By using simple ingredients, I was able to compliment Amaro Montenegro without overpowering the liquid or the palate.
CLASS: Tell us about the process of the final - why do you think you impressed the judges?
In my experience, I really wanted to create something special and bring the judges back to the 60s. My drink was airport lounge themed, so I created an airport lounge! From my dress code to my napkins, everything was in tune. I also had a muppet with me and people seemed to find it funny!
CLASS: Tell us about what it means to win - not least the prize!
Honestly I didn’t expect to win, I knew I put a lot of effort into this competition but also, the other competitors did as well. It’s great to win because it feels rewarding, and I am happy that I could impress the judges. It’s not about the win, it’s about the process but winning is a sign that you did something right.