The Tahona Society is the world’s leading tequila education programme for bartenders, it’s organised by Olmeca and Altos Tequila with the aim of promoting and widening the global culture of tequila, to celebrate the drink in all its glory and versatility. It is also about creating a global network of passionate professionals, of people who share deep interest in one of the most rich and complex drinks in the world.
The South Africa competition took place recently in Cape Town at Ginger & Lime, and bartenders representing the countries cocktail bars vied to win the title of SA winner who will take part in the global event in Mexico in September.
After two days of intense competition, Orphanage Cocktail Emporium’s Christian Ilunga Muyombo with his ‘La Meta’ cocktail infused with spiced apricot syrup was named as this year’s Tahona Society SA 2016 winner.
Inspired by La Meta (the goal / to cross the finishing line in Spanish), the Congalese-born Christian says that he started bartending after he had worked in a bar for two years and decided it was time to take on a new challenge, because he believes that there is “no trying in life, it is to do or not.”
The events that took place on 20 and 21 June, allowed bartenders from across the country to engage first hand with Tequila to bring their cocktails alive. From gaining background knowledge on how, when and where tequila is produced to putting their skills to the test on day two – the research on, interest in, and methods of mixing tequila have never been as detailed or varied as they were on those two days!
22 countries will participate in this worldwide event, and the final will take place in Arandas, Mexico in September of 2016, where the winner will become the Tahona Society Ambassador for one year.
Judges for this final will be recognised world bartenders: Dre Masso (leading bartender and one of the creators of Altos brand), Charles Joly (previous winner), Chef Poncho of Hueso restaurant in Guadalajara and Mike Capoferri (American bartender and last year´s Tahona Society winner.)
We wish Christian all the best at this exciting event.
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