Contestants gather on eve of finals
A head sommelier from a French three-star Michelin restaurant, a former Wall Street broker and a drumming world record holder are among the contestants battling over the next two days to win a 30-day stay in Bushmills and the chance to produce their own blend of one of the world’s best-loved Irish whiskeys.
The trio are among nine finalists in the Make it at Bushmills competition that also offers the winner a month’s luxury penthouse accommodation in Ireland and £5,000 spending money.
Representing countries in Europe, North America and Africa, the contenders won their national heats on the strength of a public vote. Now, starting tomorrow morning, they face one final test – the Master’s Challenge – a series of mental, physical and skills-based challenges set by Bushmills Master Distiller to find a worthy winner.
The finalists are:
- Koen Cassiers (Belgium) – an enthusiast of all things Irish, Koen is a trained guitar maker who enjoys walking and cycling.
- Ivan Ivanov (Bulgaria) – a trained lifeguard and bartender, Ivan recently graduated with a degree in marketing.
- Loïk Tavernier (France) – the head sommelier at the 3-star Michelin Restaurant Michel Trama in southwest France.
- Sietse Offringa (Netherlands) – a native of Utrecht currently studying Event Management.
- Allister Brown (Northern Ireland) – an engineer who holds the world record for being the first person to play the drums for over 100 hours.
- Kevin O’Sullivan (Republic of Ireland) –a former barman who has worked in Bulgaria and America’s west coast.
- Lance Ralph (South Africa) – an ardent Bushmills® Irish Whiskey fan who wants to show Ireland what his country has to offer.
- Nick Ord (United Kingdom) – a bar development consultant to resorts and hotels worldwide and a previous winner of Bartender of the Year.
- Joshua Wortman (USA) – a film school graduate who now works in the whiskey business following a Wall Street career.
Speaking on the eve of the finals, Bushmills Master Distiller, Colum Egan, promised the competitors an ‘amazing experience’ as they tackle a variety of challenges designed to ensure that only the very best succeeds.
“Over the next couple of days I and my fellow judges will be working hard to select our ultimate winner who must have the skills, the aptitude and above all, the mischievous spirit and unique approach to life that is embodied in Bushmills Irish Whiskey,” adds Colum.
The finalists’ progress will be charted on-line from 25-26 August at the Bushmills Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills1608.