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Award winning cocktail recipes

Renata Kecskes from Grand Cayman Beach Suites won Bartender of the Year at last year’s Culinary Awards for Excellence. The Journal catches up with Renata to hear about her story.
 
Can you tell us about your background?
I’ve been working as a bartender for the last six years. Competing wasn’t a new thing for me this year as I attended several in the past back in Europe. (I’m from Hungary). I was travelling around for four years before I arrived in Cayman.

Where did you get your inspiration?
People who I’ve met along the way always taught me something new in exchange for something that I knew. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to be able to make a tasty cocktail. Simply just shake up something that you would love to drink. In my opinion the best cocktails are made with easy to get ingredients, simple methods and SMILE!

Do you think your profession is taken seriously?
It is funny how so many people underestimate this profession. Let me just say bartending is not only about opening beers or make tasty cocktails! It is mainly about listening and creating experience. Bartenders, servers, chefs are playing a huge part in the tourist industry because we are the one who visitors face/entertain on their vacation.
 
The beauty of the Island and the outstanding hospitality that we practise on a daily basis are one of the main reasons why the Cayman Islands are such popular vacation destination.

Do you think the Culinary Awards for Excellence helps to promote Cayman in this way?
I think the annual culinary competition is such a great and noble way to raise money, get attention and give a chance to chefs and bartenders to showcase their skills and learn from each other.