Madeira Hosts Global Cocktail Event for the First Time
This week, Madeira welcomes top bartenders from around the globe for the World Cocktail Championship at the Savoy Palace Hotel. Sixty countries are represented in the competition, which is organized by Portugal’s Bartenders Association (ABP) and showcases elite talent in mixology. Although Madeira has a strong history in bartending with four world champions from the region, this year’s Portuguese representatives come from the mainland.
All four Portuguese world champions have come from Madeira; however, interestingly, this year the region has none of Portugal's two representatives among the 60 countries.
Madeira's History of World-Class Bartenders
Madeira has long been known for producing exceptional bartenders, with four world champions from the island to date. ABP President Fernando Brito said bringing the championship to Madeira required extensive support from local tourism and government organizations.
Grand Finale Set for Sunday
The competition wraps up Sunday, when a new champion will be crowned. Leo Ko from Hong Kong, who won last year in Rome, will join the panel of judges. With support from the Madeira Tourism Board and the city councils of Funchal and Machico, the event is poised to leave a lasting impression on the island.
Visa Issues Limit Attendance for Some Countries
Initially, 70 countries planned to participate, but new immigration policies in Portugal created challenges for several nations, including the Dominican Republic, Senegal, and Nigeria. The ABP managed to secure last-minute visas for some, like Cuba, but others could not attend.
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