Joe and Nicole Desmond will return to New York's Famous Rhum Rhum Room (their acclaimed home bar) with an award-winning drink and one-of-a-kind grand prize. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Go11Media, the official photographer of The Hukilau, has just completed updating its massive archive of photos from the 2011 Tiki weekender in Fort Lauderdale. Bill Dillard and company did their usual great job of capturing the spirit of the event. If you’ve got a spare hour or two, mix a cocktail and put one some exotica tunes while you browse these colorful galleries.
One of the last batch that was posted earlier this week was all the action from the Master Mixologist Rum Barrel Challenge, which was organized by The Atomic Grog on Thursday night, June 9, at the Bahia Cabana Beach Resort. We’ve covered the event extensively and posted our own photos, but the Go11Media shots are too good to pass up. We’ve taken the liberty of picking our favorites and posting them below.
To set the scene: The mixologists took the stage following live surf and exotica music by The Intoxicators and Tikiyaki Orchestra as part of the poolside kickoff party. They came armed with their own interpretations of the classic Barrel O’ Rum, one of the signature tropical drinks at the legendary Mai-Kai. The event was hosted by tropical drink author and historian Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and judged by his hand-picked Rum Rat Pack, four of the most noted experts in the field. The five contestants were given 7 minutes each to prepare their creations for the judges.
Gentlemen, start the mixology …
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Master Mixologist Rum Barrel Challenge
Official Hukilau photos from Go11Media (Click on thumbnails to see larger images or to view as slideshow)
Hukilau emcee King Kukulele (right) introduces Master Mixologist host Jeff “Beachbum” Berry. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Jeff “Beachbum” Berry kicks off the festivities. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The crowd eagerly awaits the competition. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The first contestant, George Jenkins, makes his drink, The Rain Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The first contestant, George Jenkins, makes his drink, The Rain Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The first contestant, George Jenkins, makes his drink, The Rain Barrel, using sponsor ingredients such as Fee Brothers syrups. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The first contestant, George Jenkins, makes his drink, The Rain Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
George puts the finishing touches on The Rain Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Wayne Curtis (left), Stephen Remsberg, Ian Burrell and Martin Cate are enthusiastic about judging the competition. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Martin Cate, owner of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, samples the first rum barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Martin Cate and the rest of the Rum Rat Pack begin scoring the drinks. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Contestant No. 2, Joe Desmond, attempts to schmooze host Jeff Berry and the judges. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Judges Wayne Curtis (left) and Stephen Remsberg are amused at the schmoozing. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Ian Burrell (left) and Martin Cate appear to be enjoying the judging. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Joe Desmond carefully measures out ingredients for The Moon Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The poolside crowd is riveted by the competition. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Joe Desmond begins making his rum barrel using sponsor ingredients Montanya Rum and Fee Brothers bitters. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Joe Desmond creates The Moon Barrel while his wife, Nicole, looks on. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Rum and cocktail author Wayne Curtis samples The Moon Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Joe and Nicole Desmond can relax now that they’re off the clock. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Judges Ian Burrell and Martin Cate examine Joe Desmond’s handiwork, The Moon Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Contestant No. 3, Pablus, is hard at work on his creation, Jack Sparrow’s Rum Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Contestant No. 3, Pablus, is hard at work on his creation, Jack Sparrow’s Rum Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Pablus finishes up Sparrow’s Rum Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Pablus finishes up Sparrow’s Rum Barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Beachbum Berry shows off Sparrow’s Rum Barrel to the judges and audience. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Pablus pours samples for Martin Cate and the other judges. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Contestant No. 4, Blair Frodelius, makes his drink, The Powderkeg. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Contestant No. 4, Blair Frodelius, makes his drink, The Powderkeg. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Blair Frodelius shakes up The Powderkeg. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
While Blair Frodelius finishes up The Powderkeg, defending champion Grady Johnson preps his ingredients. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The clock ticks down on Blair Frodelius and The Powderkeg. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Blair Frodelius and The Powderkeg. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Judges Ian Burrell and Martin Cate discuss rum barrel mixology. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The fifth and final competitor, Grady Johnson, makes his drink, Admiral Vernon’s Flagship. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Grady Johnson’s rum barrel, Admiral Vernon’s Flagship, features garnish fashioned into a fleet of flagships. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Grady Johnson’s rum barrel, Admiral Vernon’s Flagship, features garnish fashioned into a fleet of flagships. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
A finished flagship for Grady Johnson’s rum barrel. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Admiral Vernon’s Flagship by Grady Johnson. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
The contest over, Grady Johnson can finally relax. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Many drink samples later, the judges now tackle the difficult task of picking a winner. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Beachbum Berry interviews contest coordinator Hurricane Hayward while the judges deliberate. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Hukilau organizer Christie “Tiki Kiliki” White (far right) announces the winning drink, The Moon Barrel. While his wife Nicole looks on, Joe Desmond marvels at his prize: A custom-sculpted, hand-carved muddler by South Florida artist Tom Fowner. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Joe and Nicole Desmond will return to New York’s Famous Rhum Rhum Room (their acclaimed home bar) with an award-winning drink and one-of-a-kind grand prize. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
Rum Barrel Master Mixologist champion Joe Desmond is joined by his wife Nicole, the judges, host Beachbum Berry, contest coordinator Hurricane Hayward and Hukilau organizer Christie White. (Photo by Go11Media.com)
