Donovan
Vaz comes from the family behind the
popular Firefly Goan Bistro Bar in Benaulim, running the bar since
2012 and building himself a reputation and following thanks to his
skill behind the bar. Thus it was no surprise when Donovan cleared
the first all India round of the Diageo World Class 2016, which is
being organised by the World Class India, Diageo/United Spirits Team,
to become one amongst the 20 young talented drink-slingers who will
compete for the ultimate title at the finals to be held in Bangalore.
This
particular journey started in December 2015 when trial rounds were
held in cities across the state. Donovan and Sharath Nair, who is
based at Grand Hyatt, Goa, topped this round and will now represent
Goa at the main event.
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The
testing and evaluation took place across four modules where all the
participants attended a training workshop on various factors like
tasting, balance, bartending, latest techniques, names of brands,
ingredients, etc. They were also informed about famous bartenders and
their influences. “Through these training workshops, they were also
able to assess our understanding about making cocktails and our
ability to deliver cocktails that are considered to be the best in
the world,” informs Donovan.
Following
this, there was a written and practical test on their knowledge and
how they prepared their cocktails. Each bartender was then given a
score based on these tests, which determined who would make it to the
top twenty. Donovan sailed through to feature close to the top ten
while competing with India’s best and most experienced bartenders.
Commenting
on the quality of the contest, Donovan points out the competition
featured high quality cocktails that used premium alcohol brands and
top and fresh ingredients. Adding about the overall experience, he
says, “This has been an absolutely phenomenal experience and I have
learnt a lot. I have been working with Karl Fernandes as a mentor for
this competition, alongside Sharath Nair. It is a great recognition
for us and for Goa as well.
The
Reserve Brands Ambassador Jamie Walker, Nick, Dan and Max have been
in touch with the contestants, offering them guidance as they prepare
for their final round.
Speaking
about his own journey as a bartender, which kick-started with the
launch Firefly Goan Bistro Bar, Donovan takes pride in the fact that
many of their regular patrons come back for the cocktails. Firefly,
which boasts the specially crafted and designed world’s longest
Feni Bar, has offered Donovan a platform to mix and try new drinks.
Stating that he had to learn from scratch, Donovan, when asked to
talk about his favourite cocktails, refers to the ‘Lugabi’, a
cocktail he named after two of his international guests – Lucas and
Gabriela, and ‘Rui’, a competition-winning cocktail which is a
combination of Talisker 10 and orange infused Feni. Donovan also has
plans of introducing new cocktails at Firefly as well as using the
techniques he has picked up over the course of this contest.
As
he readies for the finals, Donovan says that the various challenges
put forward seem quite intimidating but he is set to do his best to
impress the judges in the first round itself.
The
World Class India Finals 2016 will be held at the Grand Hyatt,
Bangalore. There will be a masterclass evening on May 31, 2016 and
the competition will begin on June 1. For the final round, all the
finalists will be required to make 1 signature cocktail in the Pantry
Challenge using Reserve Portfolio spirits and ingredients from their
pantry. Each competitor will be given time in the pantry and then 5
minutes to make the drink. Th competition allows the use of 2 brought
ingredients, be it bitters, a syrup or a shrub but the chosen spirit
and the fresh produce from the pantry are to be the champions of the
drink. All drinks will be created from their fantastic Reserve
Portfolio: Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18yo, Johnnie Walker Gold
Label Reserve, Ciroc, Ketel One, Tanqueray no10, Don Julio Blanco,
Singleton of Glen Ord 12yo and Talisker 10 yo.
From
the Pantry challenge, the 6 top competitors will move on to a Speed
Round where they will have to make 5 cocktails in 6 minutes. The
recipes and photos of these concoctions
have been sent to the participants and they have been asked to
practice these drinks in super quick time. From there, the top 3
Indian finalists will compete head-to-head, making 2 drinks in the
Mystery Box Challenge. This will determine the Indian National
Champion.
