Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Hmm! Taquise Gordon-Smith (left) and Lora D'Oyen sample a coconut daiquiri.- photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

There might have been some groggy people at work on Wednesday morning.

That's because on Tuesday night they downed many glasses of rum at the final of the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum United Kingdom (UK) Bartending Challenge. The competition was held over eight rounds in the UK last year. But from all the bartenders who entered, it came down to three: Rich Hunt and Paul Mant of Mahiki bar in London, and Bruce Hamilton of Tigerlily bar in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The local Appleton folk decided to bring the lads here for the big finale. Held at The Ruins, at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, the event had 200 specially invited guests coming to see what these guys could do. But it wasn't just about mixing drinks; it was the total package. The guests would judge who the quickest, funniest and most entertaining bartender was.

Wacky creations

So, at no time did the three get a break as they continued to mix and serve up their, at times, wacky creations. They used everything from tea bags, Ribena juice and spices to give guests that 'wow' feeling. Each guest had a token which was like a ballot and the bartender with the most tokens in his bucket would win. In the end, Rich Hunt took the riches.

Guests out included DJ Sean Paul and girlfriend Jodi Stewart, Chris Reckord, Rajiv Bakshi, Sean Lyn, Brian Chung, Pierre and Karlene Lemaire, Gary Ferguson, Trisha Thompson, Paul Lalor, Carole Fullerton, Tony and Yvonne Ray, Andre Bello, Michael Anthony Cuffe, sons Michael Jr and Brandon; and Rhys Campbell.

A section of the audience gets engrossed in the happenings at the Appleton Jamaica UK Bartending Challenge final

Guests at the Appleton Jamaica UK Bartending Challenge final look on as eventual winner, Rich Hunt, does his thing