Hard Rock International this week announced Hard Rock Cafe Busan’s Edgar Sung as the winner of its global BARocker Competition.
Sung won the final bartending challenge at Hard Rock’s Global Conference in Panama City, Panama. As the company’s 2017 BARocker Champion, Sung will have his winning cocktail featured on Hard Rock’s beverage menu for a limited time and receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to one of Hard Rock’s all-inclusive resort properties.
“My passion has always been bartending, so I jumped at the chance to show off my skills in this year’s BARocker competition,” says Edgar Sung in a press release. “Because of Hard Rock, I was able to travel to Panama, meet other inspirational bartenders and achieve my long-time dream. I’m honored that my very own cocktail creation will be featured on Hard Rock’s beverage menu this year.”
Based out of Busan, South Korea, BARocker winner Sung’s accuracy and speed made him a leading contender to watch throughout the competition, the company says. However, it was his flair tricks and showmanship that captivated the judges during the final live battle.
Additional honors were awarded to Mary (MK) Taylor from Hard Rock Cafe Phoenix for “Best Speed”; Gabriela Mijas from Hard Rock Cafe Mallorca for “Best Accuracy”; and Dan Good from Hard Rock Cafe Seattle for “Best Knowledge.”
From left, Mary (MK) Taylor from Hard Rock Cafe Phoenix, Dan Good from Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, Hard Rock Cafe Busan’s Edgar Sung, and Gabriela Mijas from Hard Rock Cafe Mallorca.
“This year’s competition featured so many fiercely talented mixologists from around the globe, but Edgar Sung truly raised the bar with his creativity, fun-loving personality and exceptional showmanship,” says Cindy Busi, Senior Director of Worldwide Beverage for Hard Rock International.
Hard Rock’s fourth annual global BARocker competition called on the brand’s best bartenders from around the world to showcase their top-notch mixology skills for the chance to be named Hard Rock’s best BARocker of 2017. Throughout each stage, competitors were evaluated on several elements, including recipe knowledge, pour testing, accuracy, speed, flair and showmanship.
