Back in February, we hosted the Lanique – Spirit of Rose Competition heats. Five bartenders made it through to the final - Matt (The Canal House), Horace (The Florist Bristol), Miro (The Florist Liverpool), Dominic (The Botanist York) and Barney (The Botanist Alderley). Last Tuesday, they were invited back for a day of foraging and a challenge like no other!

Here’s how the five finalists got on…

After an early flight out to Jersey (the home of owner Lawrence) - and breakfast with Bar Legend, Peter Dorelli - the team of five headed out to the beautiful coast for some guided foraging with Kazz, a local wild-foraging expert. The team were led up and down the sandbanks, foraging and tasting interesting and unique flavours used by many chefs on the Island. Kazz also took the team on a fresh lobster hunt. Many crabs and unusual coastal critters were found and Dom was lucky enough to find a new fishy friend, whilst Tamara tucked into freshly cut oysters. 

With just 2 hours before the competition, everyone headed back to the hotel for a freshen up and the bartenders were given time to prep for the afternoon ahead.

The Lanique Final Five Fought for Victory

During the Lanique Competition, all were set the challenge of using the freshly foraged herbs and ingredients from the coast in their cocktail creations. The five rose to the challenge and smashed it - with two standout performances from Dom and Scott - who scored equally on points…

Dom’s, ‘The French Connection’ contained freshly picked Salty fingers - a texture similar to cacti (not an easy plant to include in a creation) - muddled with homemade burnt sugar syrup, a double dose of Lanique, apple brandy made in Jersey and freshly pressed granny smith apple juice. The cocktail was finished with a fennel bitters rinse of the glass and served with fresh fennel as a contrasting garnish.

Scott focused on Jersey as the inspiration behind his drink. Foraged Sorrel was used to bring out the lemon flavours in his foam garnish, along with wildflowers, Lanique, blackberries, lemon, syrup and a shot of Bulldog gin added to ‘Barneys Black Butter’ which is a delicacy, local to Jersey.

After much debating, each judge put a name in a hat and the winner was decided! The reigning bar champion Dominic Horsely did it again!

Congrats to all of the finalists who took part in a really interesting and difficult challenge. And, thank you to Lanique for hosting the Spirit of Rose Competition!