The Indian Flair Bartending Association travelled to Pune late last year to host the next edition of the IFBA Flair Challenge. The competition was a huge success with participation not just from India but also from Nepal.

The Pune edition of the competition focused on flair, technique, construct, presentation and, most importantly, the cocktail on the whole.

A distinguished panel of judges that included Ami Shroff, Aklank Jain and Anshul Stetty judging cocktails; Rohan Carvalho and Pankaj Kamble judging flair, watched each participant with keen interest and eventually decided on the finalists.

Bartending enthusiasts and fellow bartenders from the fraternity showed their support by making their presence felt at the event and, overall, it was a good show of strength by the bartending community.

Most bartenders were seen spending time at the venue relaxing and spending a day socializing with peers.

The event was backed by a host of sponsors that included Cinco, Shilani Saadh, Paul John Nirvana, Tanqueray gin, Ketel One vodka, Brews & Spirits magazine, Da Vinci Gourmet, Frooters, All Bar Works, Speedx Bars of Steel, Event Brigade, Shutter Bug and Socio Maniacs.

Piyush Bora (Bar Academy of Sion) was declared the winner with Harish Bhist (Deltin Royale, Goa) and Monish Raj (Bengaluru) adjudged the first and second runners up respectively. Rachel Fynn was declared the Best Female Bartender. (www.bar-square.com).