By Марго Бор 
Palms, flowers, ar-deco bar counter, wonderful weather and atmospheric terrace of “Conservatoria” restaurant right at the heart of Moscow. Words, actions, uncommon tastes – everything is done to to create new emotional atmosphere. And this is the Final of Beluga Signature 2019 in Russia. A guest is in a spotlight. His personal feelings and unique experience he gained during this few minutes or hours spent here – are very important for every competitor. A cocktail is not just a drink. It is a part of a system, bright light, easy but remarkable. Maxim Gladishkevitch from bar “Friends”, Novosibirsk, gathered this features together in one cocktail – and gained the prize of a winner. Beluga Signature 2019, Russia. What happened during the contest, what did the judges like and what is coming next? Read the article to find it all out. Let’s go!
WORLD-WIDE CONTEST. RUSSIAN FINAL
Beluga Signature is held since 2016. DCW Magazine supports it from the very beginning. Every year I visit it. 2019 was the same. There is even a special section at our web-site dedicated to Beluga Signature. It contains all information about the contest.
Russian final took place in Moscow and finished national contest. The winners from Italy, Spain, India, Germany, France and Great Britain had been chosen before. It is very symbolic that Russia was the seventh. And the winner gained number 7 for his performance. I paid attention to this coincidence before the contest started, thinking it was a good sign for Maxim. And I was right.
At the opening statement organizers mentioned that every participant is a winner as he is among the best who represents the national final. And that’s true. Everyone showed himself as a high-level profi.
“I judged three national finals: Italy, Spain and Russia. I should say, Russia has the strongest final among others. The best understanding of a task. High-level quality cocktails and very good knowledge. It is so interesting to be a judge as I was among the participants last year, and I understand them really well.”
Alessandro Venturi, Global Beluga Ambassador, the winner of the contest in 2018
Read the interview with Alessandro about his life after the victory at the Global Final of Beluga Signature: Национальный финал конкурса барменов Beluga Signature 2019
NEWS 2019
Participants received their create task right after finishing Barman School Beluga Signature. Its influence was quite obvious during their performances. But only one participant asked quite enough questions and achieved all goals mentioned at the rules and important to become a winner. And the winner of Beluga Signature 2019 in Russia is Maxim Gladishkevitch! His cocktail, serve and presentation gained the most points. Now Max will present our country and the global final which takes place in September in Moscow.
“Being a judge of the national final Beluga Signature for the second year I see a certain progress. First of all – linguistic. Yet it doesn’t change the situation in industry generally but still, it is presented. Second is a level of serve and cocktail story. Participants are much more prepared now. Still I wish participants would pay more attention to the rules and assessment lists as they are known in advance, and they are the way to the victory. When we talk about brand contests, it is a good idea to look at the very core, not only at the history of the brand but also at the visuals and style of serve. The crucial point for Maxim’s victory was his experience in the contests, fluent English and complex approach to the serve of a drink. He talked about the taste but also about the style and its link to the history of the drink category and the brand.”
Arina Nikolskaya, MBS
Read interviews with Alina:
Арина Никольская. Moscow Bar Show и межкультурная коммуникация
MBS 2019. Поиск амбассадоров русской культуры, локальность и мертвые тренды
THE WINNER BELUGA SIGNATURE 2019, RUSSIA
I know Maxim since 2016. Already at that time his strong will for victory was obvious and his unusual approach too. There was one interview with him I used to edit. He mentioned there that he loves the way victory tastes. And he approves it every year:
- 2014 finalist at Friends Cup
- 2015 finalist at Friends Cup, Friends bar – best bar team by MBS Cup. Finalist at Diageo Reserve World Class Russia, winner of Abrau Bartenders Cup
- 2016 finalist at Diageo Reserve World Class Russia, Monin Cup Russia 3 place
- 2017 winner of Diageo Reserve World Class Russia, best barman by Barproof Awards
- 2018 winner of Auchentochan MixDifferent
It is curious that our hero graduated University as a specialist in multichannel telecommunication systems. He abandoned science but now uses analytical approach while creating his recipes. Maxim says that sometimes he needs to make a scheme, table or moodboard to elaborate cocktail or get prepared for a contest. Technical education helps him a lot.
“I am extremely glad to be a winner of national final and present our country at the global level! This contest was quite difficult. First, the task itself. To link classical elegant image of Beluga with contemporary multisensory serve. And presentation in English. But this is my prerogative, a chance to stand out. I think there are few reasons for my victory. Detailed analysis of the brand and the task, fluent English, and good luck. I was lucky with a drink. It was plain but everyone loved it.”
Maxim Gladishkevitch, the winner of Russian National Final Beluga Signature 2019
COCKTAIL-WINNER BELUGA GOLDEN CLUB
45 ml Beluga gold line
25 mlCalifornian reserved Chardonnay, set with wheat grass
10 mlCucumber pickle
7 ml Suze
Paired with different garnishes, supposed to come one by one as far as the drink gets warm.
- Frozen cucumber with mix of vermouths
- Big olive with lemon
- Noori chips
IMPRESSIONS
Beluga team managed the event at a highest level as usually. Organization, venue, technical support – everything at the top. Literally, as this time we were invited to the roof terrace of Ararat Park Hyatt hotel with a splendid view to Moscow downtown.
A high level of the contest and its participants proves every year an important role of the event within the whole industry. Beluga is the first and the only one Russian brand, which holds international contest and brings national values to the global world. This is a big advantage that brings participants into one level with international specialists. It is a pleasure to see the contest grows and develops. This is a Russian product and a good thing to be proud of. It is not just an empty phrase. This is a result of a long-term observation and understanding of a complicated management system hidden besides all this.
“What I like about this contest is an essential condition – performance in English language. This is a great motivation for barman – to start it.. I liked my performance. This was a great opportunity to compete with industry giants!”
Yekatherina Shirokova, barman Delicatessen
Conclusions are as follows: all industry players from young barmen to big brands should think about improvement of English. Make little steps, but make them day-by-day. This is a global task, that needs to be resolved all together. In case our outstanding professional barmen do not know the language, the World never knows its heroes!
All photos are courtesy of Beluga press-office