Bartender Crowned 'Bitter and Twisted Mixologist or the year' at ScienceFest 2010
A local bartender has been crowned ‘Bitter and Twisted Mixologist of the Year’ by one of the region’s most exciting festivals, after creating a drink which is likely to get your taste buds in a twist.
Peter Nielsen of Six Restaurant at The Baltic, beat off stiff competition from four other contestants from bars across the region in a special competition at Popolo, Pilgrim Street and will now see his cocktail creation being served at a variety of special events taking place as part of Newcastle ScienceFest 2010 (March 12- 21).
The competition, organised in partnership with Popolo’s owners Principle Leisure, comes as part of Newcastle ScienceFest’s After Dark programme, a special series of evening events catering exclusively for adults.
Entrants were given the brief to create a ‘Bitter and Twisted’ cocktail based on products from Jack Cain’s locally produced range of Premium Gin and up to five other ingredients with a mix of sweet and sour flavours.
The competition was held at Popolo on February 25 as a warm-up for the forthcoming scientific cocktail event ‘Bitter and Twisted,’ which will take place as part of Newcastle ScienceFest on March 15 at The Centre for Life.
The event, which is hosted by Centre for Life’s Noel Jackson in association with Jack Cain’s Gin, will explore human taste sensations through an evening of exciting cocktails designed to get your taste buds tingling.
In line with the event, entries to the competition, which included top mixologists from leading cocktail venues Popolo, Floritas and Baby Lynch, were asked to provide a scientific slant on their cocktail creations.
Peter’s winning recipe was made by mixing a double measure of Jack Cain’s Premium Gin, with Aperol, Lemon Juice, Gomme and orange zest and oils, which was finely strained into a Martini glass rimmed with home-made Campari dust, and finished with an orange flambé.
As the winner, Peter walks away with the prestigious top mixologist title for Bitter and Twisted along with free tickets to the Centre For Life event and a mini cruise to Amsterdam courtesy of DFDS Seaways.
Commenting on the winning cocktail, Noel Jackson, panel judge and Head of Education at Centre for Life, said: “Bitter is the most complicated of the five taste sensations and we have at least 28 different bitter taste receptors. With Peter’s creation, you get distinct layers of bitterness in a wonderfully clean-tasting cocktail. It’s very sophisticated and sure to be popular with more discerning drinkers.”
Peter, 21, said: “I am very pleased to win this prestigious prize, as the competition was tough and I was up against some of the most talented mixologists in the business. It will be a great honour to see my cocktail showcased as part of Newcastle ScienceFest and I can only hope that people enjoy drinking it as much as I enjoyed making it!”
Andy Haddon, panel judge and director of Northumbria Spirit Ltd, the makers of Jack Cain's Gins said 'It has been great fun to be involved in 'Bitter and Twisted' and I just want to say thanks to everyone especially Popolo for making the competition such a fantastic success. Particular thanks must go to the entrants for all their enthusiasm, creativity and expertise. They have created some great tasting new drinks which work so well with our gins and will stand the test of time.'
Bitter and Twisted is part of Newcastle ScienceFest’s After Dark Programme, a series of innovative late-night events catering exclusively for adults.
Highlights for After Dark include a Comedy Nightat The Hyena with Robin Ince of Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Mock the Week. Designer Bodies, a free late night opening of Centre for Life, exploring body modification and a 3D Disco - the official ScienceFest Closing Party - at unique venue Stephenson Warehouses where Popolo subsidiary Popolo Events will be providing a mobile bar.
In collaboration with Northern Lights Film Festival, there will also be an evening of special FX and Science at Centre for Life on March 21.
Bitter and Twisted will take place on Monday March 15 from 8pm-9.30pm at the Centre for Life. Places are strictly limited and must be booked in advance at a cost of £8 each. Book ticket online here.
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