The winner of the inaugural OGGS® Shake Off Challenge has been named as London-based mixologist Ryan Saunders.
Saunders, who is bar manager at East London Liquor Company’s bar and restaurant,beat three other talented mixologists in the competition final, which saw finalists’ skills put to the test across two rounds at the event, hosted at award-winning The Mezzanine Bar at The Stratford hotel in London.
The bartender impressed the Shake Off judges, which included Pritesh Mody, cocktail expert on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, award-winning mixologist Nicole Sykes, UK brand ambassador for Maker’s Mark and former general manager of revered London bar Satan’s Whiskers, with his excellent mixology skills, strong focus on sustainability and the impactful presentation of his serves.
Finalists, who were shortlisted from dozens of entries from mixologists across the UK, were challenged to create a retro-inspired cocktail, as well as a cocktail from a mystery box of ingredients during the exciting competition final, organised by OGGS® Aquafaba, a plant-based egg now available to bar operators.
Award-winning cocktails
Saunders said: “I’m thrilled to have won against such talented competition. I wanted the focus of my entered cocktail to celebrate local ingredients, as well as being accessible to most dietary requirements by keeping it vegan. At the bar we believe no one should miss out, and OGGS Aquafaba makes it really easy to suit the needs of every guest without compromising on flavour or quality.”
Saunders’ winning cocktails were ‘Fir Coat’, which combined East London Kew Gin, apple ‘honey’, spruce shrub, OGGS® Aquafaba and Bordelet poire cider. He describes the drink as: “A play on the warming effect of booze, with a nod to the Kew grown Douglas Fir that features as the key botanical in the gin. It’s a juicy, piney, seasonal sour that is accessible to all.”
His mystery box challenge cocktail was ‘Fennely Enough’, combining H by Hine Cognac, lemon juice, Oggs Aquafaba, créme de peche, cacao blanc, micro-fennel and a dash of Absinthe.
Finalists’ skills praised
Head judge Pritesh Mody, founder of World of Zing, said: “All judges were so impressed with the creativity, skill and flair shown by all the finalists’ in crafting their cocktails. But Ryan impressed with the great presentation of his cocktails and for pushing the boundaries on sustainability with the fir shrub. It would be great to see more mixologists using these types of ingredients.”
Finalists’ with flair
The other inspirational bartenders competing in the final were Ignacio Grimaldi, mixologist at London’s Fitz’s Bar at The Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel, Kyra Elton, senior bartender at Happiness Forgets in Hoxton and Mario Larenza, bartender at Laki Kane, cocktail bar and Pan-Asian restaurant in Islington.
Shaking up the Aquafaba market
Hannah Carter, founder and CEO of OGGS®, said: ““OGGS® is thrilled to now be part of the UK’s vibrant, dynamic and innovative UK bar industry and to be working closely with operators to help support their businesses around the growing consumer demand for more inclusive cocktails and helping to remove an allergen from the bar.”
She adds: “We were really excited to see the excellent response to the competition, with the broad range of inspiring recipe entries from bartenders, showcasing just what a versatile cocktail ingredient OGGS® Aquafaba is for using with a wide range of different spirits and non-alcoholic ingredients.”
OGGS® Aquafaba is already being used by mixologists including at The Zetter Townhouse in London’s Marylebone, Park Chinois in Mayfair and Las Iguanas.
Spirits educator and mixologist Hannah Lanfear, who hosted the challenge final, said: “I’m so impressed with OGGS® Aquafaba – I can’t recommend it highly enough to bar operators. It’s so much better for the environment than egg white, takes no preparation time, is no mess and is less wasteful. Plus, it gives cocktails a lovely texture. I’m surprised at myself, but I’m done with egg white – it’s the OGGS® life for me!”
Bartenders can find cocktail recipe inspiration at Cocktails – Love OGGS®
