Tom Gedney-Higham named winner of Northern Restaurant and Bar Cocktail's Competition with Whitley Neill Dry Gin

Tom Gedney-Higham of Bibi's Italianissimo in Leeds announced as the winner of the annual Northern Restaurant & Bar cocktail competition, sponsored by Whitley Neill Dry Gin, with the chance to win a once in a lifetime VIP visit to South Africa.

The final of the annual cocktail competition took place yesterday at Northern Restaurant & Bar in Manchester, sponsored by Whitley Neill Gin. The winner was Tom Gedney-Higham of Bibi's Italianissimo in Leeds who impressed the judges with his creation Terra De Fume (translates as Smoke of the Earth) which saw Whitley Neill Dry Gin, Aperol, Lemongrass and Fresh Lemon Juice, Rooibos and Orange Syrup and Fresh Pressed Grapefruit shaken hard and served with tea leaves from Rooibos tea bags, broken Cinnamon sticks, and Cassia Bark for garnish.

The judging panel including Whitley Neill Gin founder Johnny Neill and spirits writer Joel Harrison.

"This competition provides an opportunity for bartenders to really think outside the box, and seek out unusual and interesting components from a continent rich in ingredients and flavour, said Joel Harrison.

“The four finalists managed this, with the winner, Tom, balancing out the core personality of Whitley Neill Gin with his unique cocktail, which was refreshing, well balanced and easy to drink.”

Tom will be visiting South Africa in late 2017 as the guest of Whitley Neill Dry Gin, which has previously beaten off the challenge from the World’s finest gin brands by winning gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2014. The visit will also include a 1 day safari.

Competitors had been asked to submit one unique drink, containing a minimum of 35 ml of any Whitley Neill Dry Gin expression, and adding inspiration of the gin’s South Africa influence.

The other finalists were Bettina Kovacs, Dishoom, Edinburgh; Jenny Griffiths, Ten Mill Lane, Cardiff and Lükas Alberti, Three Six Six (Battersea), London.

Northern Restaurant & Bar is the biggest hospitality show in the North. The show’s Spirit Room is the largest curated selection of spirit brands on show outside London. As well as the Whitley Neill Dry Gin cocktail competition, the Drinks Live theatre featured a line-up of tutored tastings and masterclasses from some of the best names in the business.

Northern Restaurant & Bar returns to Manchester on 20-21 March 2018.

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