Mayo mixologist Owen Hughes has his cocktail shakers at the ready for the Irish final of the Finlandia Vodka Cup in Dublin this November. Owen was awarded first place at the Galway heat of the competition, after an expert panel of judges decided that his cocktail was a cut above the rest. Owen has been wowing costumers in the Knockranny House Hotel in Westport for a while now, so this is his chance to show off his talents on a national scale.
The talented mixologist has won a highly coveted place at the Irish final of the Finlandia Vodka Cup, where he will compete against reigning Finlandia Vodka Cup Cocktail champion, Romain Mellerein. Four additional finalists selected from heats taking place in Dublin and Cork will join Owen in the Irish final. The winner from the Irish final will get to fly the flag for Ireland in the international cocktail competition in the famous snow village of Kittila, located in the Arctic region of Northern Finland, and stay in the magical surrounds of a Lappish ice hotel. Competitors will experience the trip of a lifetime as they get to attend a vodka masterclass and experience some unique Finnish activities including husky dog sledding, ice fishing and sauna sessions.
