A bartender who works in a Jersey hotel has showcased his talent overseas and been crowned the winner of a prestigious bartending competition in Italy.
Italian national Rami Hammoude, who works at La Haule Manor in St Aubin, represented his region in this year’s Italian Cocktail Championship.
The national competition is organised by AIBES – the Associazione Italiana Barman – to find the best bartender in Italy, with this year’s event held on a Costa Favolosa cruise ship.
After competing against 15 of the best bartenders from across the country, Mr Hammoude took home the Angelo Zola Award for the best Italian bartender under the age of 28.
“I still can’t believe it,” he said. “This achievement carries years of hard work, long nights behind the bar, failures, laughter, sacrifices.
“Every cocktail, every competition, every ‘no’, and every lesson brought me here.”
He added: “This victory isn’t just mine, it belongs to everyone who believed in me, who stood by me, and who pushed me to become better every single day.”
The team at La Haule Manor added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have such exceptional talent on our team!
“His passion, creativity and skill behind the bar impressed judges and earned him the top spot.”