Disaronno Mixing Star – UK winners announced

Last week bartenders from across the UK battled it out for the chance to win a part in a Bollywood movie thanks to Disaronno.

Two finals were held, with the Southern heat being taken out by Luca Missaglia from Quo Vadis, London after some very strong showings in other competitions this year. The Northern heat was another example of the excellent young female bartending talent emerging this year, with Elsa Holmberg from Brass Monkey, Nottingham claiming top spot.

Luca practising his suave look

These two UK representative’s will be heading to Berlin in July where they will compete against bartenders from across Europe for the opportunity to take out the star prize of a trip to Mumbai for 8 days, a part in a Bollywood movie and inclusion in the Disaronno Cocktail Guide ‘The Mixing Star Hall of Fame’.

After the London heat, held at The Light Bar in Shoreditch, Luca was hopeful about his chances at the Global Finals:

‘I was so proud to win the London stage of the Disaronno Mixing Star competition. Now I must push myself to do my best in Berlin at the global final. Disaronno is a brand that people associate with Italian culture, tradition and history so I hope that my experience from working at bars in both Milan and London will help me to do the brand justice at the final.’

All the competitors were asked to create a classic Disaronno Sour as well as their own signature Disaronno cocktail. Elsa took out the competition at The Black Dog Ballroom, Manchester with her signature serve the ‘Summer Thyme’ and had this to say afterwards:

Elsa getting used to the Star's chair

‘I am excited to be part of such a big competition and I look forward to meeting all of the other finalists in Berlin. I have learnt a lot from the experienced and professional bartenders on the Nottingham bar scene and I am inspired by the challenge of competing on a global level with a brand that really stands out in its category.’

BarLifeUK wishes Luca and Elsa good luck in Berlin and we hope to see one of you shaking something (or maybe everything) in a Bollywood movie.