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Meet the Mixologists
Food
A Caribbean vacation isn’t really a vacation until you’ve had a cocktail! Whether you are lazing on the beach or enjoying pre-dinner drinks, cocktails are a brilliant way to get you into relaxation mode. In Cayman we have a number of talented bartenders who are highly skilled in their art, creating personalised drinks for their guests as well as crowd-pleasing favourites. Please enjoy meeting some of our mixologists here!
Mixologist Miguel Jorquela,
Blue Cilantro
Hailing from Chile, Miguel spent 20
years living in Barcelona, Spain, before moving to Cayman. Working in the cruise industry gave him the urge to move to the Caribbean and he has certainly made his mark on the hospitality industry here, creating memorable cocktails that keep his customers coming back for more. His artistry at the bar comes from an inherent sense of taste matched with a desire
to use fresh produce in his drinks. As a result, he works closely with the kitchen to ensure his cocktail creations match seamlessly with the menu.
“I call myself a fresh market mixologist because I love to promote fresh, local ingredients and fruit and vegetables in general,” he says.
Bartender Steven Fanning,
Ave and Avecita, Kimpton Seafire Steven grew up in
Montreal, Canada and started his career young
as a dishwasher and peeling potatoes, moving up to commis chef in a high-end restaurant for most of
his high school years. Steven continued working in the culinary industry for
many years throughout high school and college, Robinson Hall in London, Ontario, where he studied the culinary arts and bartending.
He had his first taste of the Caribbean in Sint Maarten, before moving to Cayman more than 12 years ago as head chef of Kaibo in North Side.
“I loved it up there; a true taste of island living and ingredients,” he says.
A few years passed and he moved to Seven Mile Beach, both bartending for Jet nightclub and managing Aqua Beach.
“I then had an opportunity to move
to Brisbane, Australia to manage one of Australia’s top restaurant’s bar, Aria, as well as managing another high profile Japanese restaurant named Sake,” he says.
But Steven missed the island, so, knowing his heart was in Cayman, he decided to return to Cayman after seven years in Australia.
“I equally love the Islands’ people
and flavours. Cayman’s international community has brought in the best from all corners of the globe. I use this as my inspiration,” he confirms.
Bartender
Gary Mandabon,
The Marriott’s Anchor & Den
Gary is one of the newest bartenders
at A&D. He’s been serving up delicious drinks for customers since studying hospitality back home in the Philippines five years ago.
He had the chance to show off his skills when he took part in the prestigious World Class competition sponsored by drinks giants Diageo. A series of tough rounds ended with the crowning of Global Bartender of the Year. He battled against world-class competitors to reach Stage 3.
Gary says: “I was pleased with that as it was my first major competition. I learned so much.”
The A&D cocktail menu has something for everyone, he says.
“We want to get your taste buds excited when you sit down at our bar,”
he states. “We like to ask questions to ensure that the cocktail you are going
to experience is right for your palate, whether that’s something we have on the menu or a personalised cocktail.”
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