The sixth season of the Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship reached its thrilling finale at Botanix Nature Resort, Gurugram, recently. The grand finale brought together the 20 finalist bartenders from across the country after a series of city rounds, competing against each other in various challenges to claim the coveted title.

With over 1,100 registrations, a range of upskilling activities, expert judges and international entertainment, Dharambir Chhetri from Copitas (Bengaluru) emerged as the triumphant winner and claimed the highly sought-after title of the Ultimate Bartender.

His exceptional skills, creativity and presence of mind under pressure set him apart from the others. He now gets a chance to attend Camp Monkey, an annual gathering of Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassadors and fellow Ultimate Bartending Championship winners of other countries, in Thailand in November 2023.

The Ultimate Bartender Championship was graced by an esteemed panel of judges including Joe Petch (Global Brand Ambassador), Brendon Khoo (Brand Ambassador, South-East Asia) and Christyne Lee, Head Bartender at Tess Bar & Kitchen in Singapore.

Gaurav Sareen, Brand Ambassador India said, “I must say the turnout this time surpassed all expectations. It not only celebrated the talent of these bartenders but also created a collaborative and supportive environment to build skills that pay bills.”

Joe Petch said, “The Ultimate Bartender Championship continues to impress me year after year. The level of talent and innovation in the Indian bartending community is truly exceptional.”

During the 3-day extravaganza, participants and guests were treated to a plethora of engaging activities. The adrenaline-pumping adventures included paintball, T-shirt painting, spray painting and skill sessions on ice, coffee, palate tasting and social media.

These activities provided opportunities for bartenders to showcase their creativity and expertise beyond the bar counter. On the final day, all attendees had the chance to explore a local distillery, enriching their knowledge of the craft.