Bartender Ralston McKenzie (left), of Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel, in a jubilant mood after winning the Sandals/Beaches Mixology contest last week. Sharing in the occasion are Nadine Johnson (centre), marketing manager of Ting, and Armando Pizzuti, Sandals Group food and beverage director. - Patrick Campbell/Freelance Photographer WESTERN BUREAU:
SANDALS ROYAL Caribbean bartender Ralston McKenzie emerged the toast of the 2003 Ting Sandals/Beaches Mixology Contest, which was staged in Montego Bay last Friday, when he blunted the challenge of 10 other bartenders to pocket the $10,000 winners purse, the sparkling winners goblet and a prize trip to Cuba.
"I feel truly honoured," said Mr. McKenzie, whose win set off elated screams on the terrace of the Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel, where the contest was staged. "I prepared myself well and I fully expected to do well."
McKenzie, who started his career in the hospitality industry as a member of the Housekeeping Department at Sandals Royal in 1999 but was subsequently promoted to the position of bar porter in March 2002 and later bartender in December 2002, impressed the judges with his unique brew, which he labelled 'Ting Tang'.
RUNNER-UP WINNERS
Gregory Shaw, of Sandals Dunn's River, who had handled the containers and bottles like he was tossing around a yo-yo, had the gathering dazzled throughout his spectacular routine to create 'Ting of Love'. He took the second place package of $5,000 and a weekend at a Sandals/Beaches Hotel of his choice.
Nepaul Kerr, of Sandals Negril, who has had international experience working at the Gran Hotel, Michigan, in the United States, took the $5,000 third place prize for his mixture 'Ting a Ling'. It must have been some measure of consolation to him that his finished product was promptly gobbled up by two visitors, who pleaded with the judges to give them the drink.
The other six contestants, inclusive of the lone female participant Marcella Gray, of Sandals Inn, who offered up a brew called 'Ting Passion', received certificates of participation and gift packages courtesy of main sponsors Ting, whose product was used in all the various mixtures.
The contestants were not the only ones to walk away with prizes as visitors who were able to answer questions about Ting, Sandals/Breezes and Jamaica were presented with prizes courtesy of the sponsors.
