The day was scorching hot, and the sun beat down unapologetically on those who couldn’t find shade from it. That didn’t deter any of the contestants from the 2010 National Flair Bartending Championship right at the pool and beach front of Hard Rock Hotel.

This year’s bartending championship promised to be a visual feast, with awe-inspiring balancing and juggling acts as bartenders from around Malaysia tossed and flipped bottles of liquor and canisters of shakers into the air.

Despite the glaring sun that blinded a few contestants mid-toss, it was still a spectacular display of skill and balance. One can’t help but to go slack-jawed when one of the contestants threw a bottle high into the air with one hand while juggling 3 bottles of liquor in another. Yes, it does sound improbable, but that’s exactly the quality that the contestants brought to the table that day.

The contestants weren’t just being judged by how well they flaired; they were also tested on their ability to make a delicious drink, one that can surpass time and taste to make it as classic as a cosmopolitan or a martini.

There was no shortage of talent in this year’s Flair Bartending Championship that saw 36 contestants trying their luck in winning the competition. However, there could only be one winner, and that winner was Radzlan bin Ramlan. Radzlan has been bartending for the past 7 years, and flaring for 3 years. He is currently working at QBA in Westin, Kuala Lumpur, and will now be representing Malaysia in the ASEAN Bartending Championship in Singapore on the 21^st of April 2010!

Winner of the National Flair  Bartending Championships 2010 at Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel

First runner up Bernard Joseph was greeted with wild applauses when he got on stage from those who frequent the local clubbing scene, as he is a beverage trainer at a very popular club in Penang, Slippery Senioritas! No self-respecting clubber would be unfamiliar with that name. The home based fans were roaring with delight when he won first runner up, as he will also be representing Malaysia in the ASEAN Bartending Championship. Bernard has a total of 8 years of bartending experience under his belt.

Runner-up for the National Flair Bartending Championships 2010.

Of course, none of these winners would be without the sharp eye and tongue of the judges. There was Mr Reginald Pereira, CEO of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and Mr. S.S. Raja who is also from MAH and was the Chief Judge of the National Bartending Championship in 2009. Representatives from the MBA as well as the bar manager of Elixer were also present as judges for the event. There was even a Flairtending Champion, Mr. Nelson Wong, to judge the contestants on their flaring abilities.

Panel of Judges

Needless to say, this year’s National Flair Championship was filled with excitement, and tinged with the scent of lingering alcohol. A toast to next year’s championship; May it be as entertaining and of high caliber as this one had been!