Two Jersey bartenders are preparing to shake things up on the national stage after reaching the final of a UK cocktail competition.
Damian Murgatroyd of The Blind Pig and Melting Pot’s Subash Rai have both been selected for the UK final of the Domaine de La Flaguerie Cocktail Competition.
For the event, which is due to take place on 9 September, entrants have been challenged to create a cocktail “inspired by the bar you call home”.
Mr Murgatroyd has created Regeneration, an apple-based cocktail inspired by The Blind Pig’s time-travel theme.
He said: “The inspiration was sitting right in front of me (literally).
“Every shift begins by stepping through our blue police box entrance, the gateway into a world built around time travel.
“Our menu follows the same philosophy, with every section representing a different cocktail era, taking guests on a journey through history one drink at a time.”
His creation follows the journey of an apple as it changes, evolves and transforms, while remaining connected to each previous stage.
“The journey comes full circle with the garnish: the apple – ‘remembering who it used to be’ and returning to its simplest form, carrying the memory of every stage that came before,” he added.
Mr Murgatroyd also felt the competition was particularly fitting because Jersey was once part of the Duchy of Normandy and shares much of the region’s orchard heritage.
Meanwhile, Mr Rai created The Forbidden Spritz, combining the orchards of Normandy with the light and sociable spritz culture at the heart of Melting Pot.
“For centuries, the apple has carried a story of temptation,” he explained.
“The forbidden fruit was never actually named as an apple, but over time the apple became its symbol – something beautiful, desirable, and just out of reach.
“I wanted to bring those two worlds into one glass: the orchards of Normandy and the Spritz culture of Melting Pot.”
In a joint statement, the two local bars said: “To have talented bartenders from both The Blind Pig and Melting Pot competing in the same UK final is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for Jersey hospitality.”
