David Figueira and José Domingues, two barmen working at the Algarve’s Quinta do Lago resort, are among the 25 finalists of the ‘World Class 2021’ competition organised by the Diageo Bar Academy. The announcement was made by the resort in a statement to the press this week.
Figueira, who works at the Bovino Steakhouse, secured a spot in the final thanks to a cocktail he calls Kukul (meaning ‘sacred’ and ‘divine’ in Mayan), made with Zacapa 23 rum, Port wine, a blend of cocoa and carob and smoked syrup. Says the bartender, it is inspired by Guatemalan cocoa ceremonies which he discovered during his travels.
Meanwhile, his colleague José Domingues from Dano’s restaurant, also at the resort, made the cut with a cocktail he calls The Port’Father, made with Zacapa rum, purple muscatel, Port wine and “bitter cinnamon old fashioned”. According to Domingues, the cocktail pays tribute to the legendary film The Godfather. He hopes that when his clients drink the cocktail, they feel like they are being made an “offer they can’t refuse”.
The ‘World Class 2021’ final was due to be held in Sydney, Australia but will now be held in Madrid between July 5 and 8 as it provides “greater flexibility to work across multiple time zones,” according to organisers.
Meanwhile, Quinta do Lago has stressed the important role that the quality of its cocktails has had in elevating the gastronomic experiences of its guests.
In recent years, Bovino Steakhouse’s has racked up awards such as the ‘Martini Grand Prix’ in 2016, ‘Bartender of the Year’ in 2017 and ‘Best Bar Restaurant’ in the Drinks Diary Bar Awards in 2018. The steakhouse has also made the final of the ‘Martini Grand Prix’ in 2016 and was named a nominee in number of categories of the ‘Bacardi Legacy’ in 2018.
More recently in 2019, it was featured on a list of the ‘Top 5 Barmen of the Year’ and in 2020 in the ‘Top 4 Best Restaurants Serving Wine in Portugal’ by the national wine magazine Revista de Vinhos.
Meanwhile, Dano’s was named ‘Best Bar and Restaurant of the Algarve’ in 2019 and 2020 by LUX Life Magazine. It was also included on the ‘Rede-T’ platform in the category of ‘Barman’s Choice Cocktails’.
“Thanks to a constant discovery of new talents, Quinta do Lago will continue to win awards in this area,” the resort says.
