The Largest Bartending Competition Badel Masterclass Cup Concluded: Davor Kaić is the Best Bartender in Croatia

Participation in the final of the Badel 1862 Masterclass Cup was secured by 25 hospitality professionals, bartenders, and waiters who demonstrated their knowledge and skills in beverage service and cocktail preparation at the Zagreb club Mint. The title of the best was won by Davor Kaić from Zagreb, who earned his place in the final at the regional competition in Rijeka. Second place was awarded to Nikola Vrček from Varaždin, and third place went to Vanja Galovski from Skopje.

After the first competition in beverage knowledge and service as well as cocktail preparation was held two years ago, this year it was repeated in four Croatian regions and in North Macedonia. The Badel 1862 Masterclass Cup received 500 applications, from which 25 finalists qualified for the competition.

Contestants first demonstrated their bartending knowledge and skills at regional competitions held in Osijek, Rijeka, Split, Zagreb, and Skopje, with the top five candidates from each region advancing to the final. The best performers were awarded cash prizes and titles that bring prestige to the profession, but all competitors benefited from participating in the competition. An online education was organized for all participants, where some of the greatest ‘trade secrets’ were shared by Mario Majcen, one of Croatia’s leading bartenders, and all contestants received a Badel MasterClass Expert certificate to aid in their professional career development.

—

DAvor Kaić

photo

—

– “It is a great honor for me to receive this recognition as the best bartender in Croatia. I am grateful to the organizer of this event for recognizing the importance of the bartending profession and culture and for motivating competitors to show their best through this competition. The culture of bartending in Croatia is still being built, and such competitions and education are key to its promotion. With my cocktail named Cleopatra, I wanted to emphasize the fruity notes that soften the bitterness of Antique Pelinkovac and highlight its aroma,” said Davor Kaić, the winner of the Badel Masterclass Cup and bartender at the prestigious Monte Mulini hotel in Rovinj.

All registered participants had the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills in cocktail knowledge, preparation, and service, as well as other practical and theoretical knowledge related to wines, spirits, and consumer psychology. In the final competition, finalists had to prepare their own original cocktail, demonstrate top skills in serving guests, and successfully identify beverages using their sense of smell. According to the received order, they were required to demonstrate knowledge and dexterity in preparing, pouring, and serving various types of beverages and coffee.

The regional competitions and the final were given special significance by a jury composed of leading experts in alcoholic beverages and hospitality. Candidates were judged throughout the competition by Mario Majcen, world vice-champion in flair, Zlatko Orečić, bar manager of Esplanade, Mirela Krajnović, chief technologist at Badel 1862, and Ante Žigo, president of the Split Bartenders Association, with Vesna Jurak, director of strong alcoholic beverage production at Badel 1862, Franck’s professional barista Zoran Trkulja, and renowned bartender Zoran Surla joining them in the final.

– “The experiences from the first Masterclass Cup were excellent, and due to the interest of hospitality professionals, we decided to continue organizing this competition. The large number of applications confirms the interest and need for such projects that open opportunities for learning and experience exchange. Besides enabling professional development for individuals working in hospitality, such competitions contribute to raising the quality of our overall hospitality and tourism offerings. This year, we also included bartenders from North Macedonia in the competition, which is the first step in expanding to other countries in the region,” emphasized Lovro Vučković, marketing director of Badel 1862.