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Annette Mulama, a talented mixologist from Hero Bar at Trademark Hotel, is set to represent Kenya at the World Class Global Finals in Shanghai, China, from September 9th to 13th, 2024. Mulama, who was recently crowned champion of the 2024 World Class Kenya Bartending Competition, will compete against top bartenders from over 60 countries for the prestigious title of the world’s best bartender.
Annette’s journey to becoming a World Class Bartender began three years ago. After two previous attempts, she triumphed in her third effort at the 9th edition of the Kenya World Class competition, earning her the coveted title of Kenya’s 9th World Class winner.
Suwi Ngambi, National Advocacy Manager at East African Breweries Limited (EABL), emphasized the scale of the national competition, which saw 278 participants showcase their skills in various challenges. “The challenges, including the ‘Johnnie Walker Beyond a Night Cap’ and ‘Singleton at the Disco,’ tested the bartenders’ creativity and mastery of mixology,” said Ngambi, highlighting how the cocktail culture in Kenya continues to evolve.
In Shanghai, Annette will face five challenges, testing her creativity, speed, understanding of the different brands, and her overall presentation skills. This year’s competition incorporates elements of cultural integration between Kenya and China, along with the infusion of technology in the cocktail-making process.
Since her win, Annette has undergone intensive training, boot camps, and studio sessions, all supported by EABL and Hero Bar. These sessions have helped refine her cocktail-making skills, agility, and precision as she prepares for the world stage.
“I’m excited to have won the Kenya World Class competition and am looking forward to representing my country in Shanghai,” Annette said during her sendoff party. “I’ve received great support from my colleagues, who have allowed me to test and push my creativity with some of the cocktails I’ll be making. My curiosity drives me, and I plan to leverage that as I craft my cocktails for the judges.”
The World Class Global Finals, hosted in Shanghai, are renowned for pushing bartenders to their creative and technical limits. The event promises to be a celebration of global mixology, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s culinary and nightlife capitals.
As Annette heads to Shanghai, Kenya stands proudly behind her, confident that she will shine on the world stage and continue to elevate the potential of the country’s bartending industry.
