Young Bartender Challenge 2024

The Happy High, Mumbai’s premium bartending institute, recently hosted the inaugural Young Bartender Challenge 2024, in partnership with A-Star Academy, a hotel school in Mumbai. The event was sponsored by Smoke Lab Vodka, Mohulo Gin, and Smoke Lab Water. 

The event attracted 41 entries from 15 hospitality institutes across Mumbai and Pune, starting with a Masterclass phase featuring sessions on mixology, Cognac, gin, vodka, and water, designed to help participants enhance their skills.

The second phase of the competition required participants to submit their cocktail recipes via Instagram reels under the theme “Bharat," resulting in 10 finalists from 7 colleges competing in the grand finale on 28^th September.

In front of a jury panel comprising Jishnu AJ (Bar Manager at Ekaa), Rajesh Israni (Head of Marketing, NV Group), Harish Subramanian (Head of Beverage, Papa’s Bombay), and Vishwanath Revankar (Dean, A-Star Academy), the finalists participated in two rounds, including a mystery round.

The winners included Aaryan Katara from IHM Mumbai, who took home the Gold medal and Rs 15,000; Kailash Chaudhari from Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune, who won the Silver Medal and Rs 12,500; and Om Awasare from IHM Mumbai, who secured the Bronze Medal and Rs 10,000. Vishal Kandu from ITM IHM Oshiwara won Rs 12,000 for the Best Video/Maximum Shares/Views on Instagram.

Dr. Rajeev R. Mishra, Director of A-Star Academy, expressed pride in collaborating with Happy High for this competition, highlighting the academy's commitment to providing real-world industry exposure to students.

Rajesh Israni of NV Group also praised the contestants’ use of indigenous flavours and homegrown spirits like Smoke Lab Vodka and Mohulo Gin. Ajit Balgi, Founder of The Happy High, emphasised the competition’s focus on empowering participants through masterclasses and real-world experience, stating they aim to make the next edition, YBC 2025, even better.