The 2012 Hukilau will be held Thursday through Sunday, April 19-22, at The Mai-Kai and several Fort Lauderdale beachside hotels. Official sites: TheHukilau.com | Facebook
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It seems like every year The Hukilau comes up with a new twist on the concept of a Tiki-themed weekend party. You never know what great band or special event will surprise and entertain you. With this year’s event fast approaching – it kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday – now’s the time to scour the schedule for cool and unique happenings.
Last year, one of the highlights took place on Thursday night, June 9, during the kickoff party at the Bahia Cabana Beach Resort. Five tropical drink mixologists faced off in the Master Mixologist Rum Barrel Challenge to see who could impress a who’s who of rum experts with their own take on the classic cocktail made famous at The Mai-Kai.
The contest was held live on stage following the night’s musical performances and certainly lived up to its billing. It was hosted by tropical drink author and guru 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. What ensued was a rum-soaked flurry of mixology and creativity that impressed the judges and entertained hundreds in attendance.
Click here or on the images above and below to take a look back at this action-packed contest. Then click on the play button and be sure to turn up your speakers!
Click here for a full recap of the competition, which was won by Joe Desmond of New York’s Famous Rhum Rhum Room (Joe and wife Nicole’s home bar) with his out-of-this-world concoction, The Moon Barrel. Runners-up were Grady Johnson, Blair Frodelius, Pablus, and George Jenkins. The judges were UK Rumfest organizer Ian Burrell, Smuggler’s Cove owner Martin Cate, author Wayne Curtis and rum historian Stephen Remsberg.
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