This year we are all about celebrating beverages that are low on proof, but high on flavor.
This competition will take place across the globe, showcasing the region’s exceptional talent in the craft of mixology. The NZ winner will have the chance to compete in the semi-final event in Malaysia, and the top three from the semi-final event will show their talent on the world stage in France! So come on and show us what you’ve got!
Everything you need to know is in the rules & regulations below, but if you need a hand or anything is unclear feel free to drop us a line at [email protected], we’d be happy to help!
Monin Cup 2024 Rules, Regulations & Guidelines
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and principles on the MONIN Cup 2024 to create a worldwide standard. All the necessary information about the final competition, competitor requirements, judges and rules surrounding the event is detailed here.
General Information
1. Theme- MONIN Cup 2024 – Low is More
Welcome to MONIN Cup, an exhilarating bartending competition designed to push the boundaries of your mixology skills to new heights.
In a world that is embracing the No/Low ABV Trend, we invite you, young and talented bartenders, to craft alternative, innovative and unforgettable drinks. As competitors, we challenge you to elevate your cocktail creations beyond mere taste and into the realm of storytelling. Creativity will be the pillar of our judging, encouraging you to think outside the glass and embrace the unconventional.
2. Calendar & Deadlines
•21st April 2024: Deadline for submitting entries.
•30th April 2024: Finals Contestants announced.
•28th May 2024: Finals held in Auckland.
•3rd September 2024: APAC Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to determine the Top 3 APAC winners who will compete in Global Grand Finale in France.
•Beginning of December 2024: MONIN Cup Grand Finale in France.
3. Candidates
For each competitor to take part in the competition, all the following criteria must be met:
•Competitor should be either 1) working in the hospitality industry in a bar/restaurant/cafe or 2) studying in a hospitality school/educational institute.
•The age limit to participate in the MONIN Cup final is 27 years old. (All candidates born in 1997 or after)
•The competitor must hold a valid travel passport in anticipation to travel to compete for the regional or global finals. The organizers will not be responsible for non-valid travel documents.
•On the day of the competition, all competitors will be required to bring their own bar tools and glasses and follow the exact recipe that has been submitted. Changes to the recipe could result in points being deducted or disqualification from the competition.
•All competitors must be able to speak and present their drinks in English.
•Should the candidate be qualified to join the MONIN Cup Asia Pacific Finals, the candidate has the choice to register with the same recipe or a new/improved recipe that he/she has presented for the national/local MONIN Cup competition within the stipulated deadline for submission. However, please note that the recipe for the APAC finals should be used in the Grand Finale in France.
•Only a maximum of 2 competitors are allowed per organization/chain to compete in the competition.
4. Video Submission
Video entries close at 5pm on Sunday 21st of April, 2024.
Method of submission is to post the video to your Instagram account, ensuring the below:
- Tag us at @moninnz
- Use hashtags #nzmonincup2024 and #monincupnz
- Your profile must be public to enable the video to be seen and shared
- The video is to clearly show yourself, including your face, making your drink
- The length of video is to be at least 2 minutes long, and less than 5 minutes long.
You must also send the link of your video submission to [email protected], along with your recipe and ABV calculation (see point 10). If you need help with this part please email us, we’re happy to help!
Contestants agree that video submissions may be used by MONIN NZ (Moi Agencies) for promotional purposes during and after the promotional event.
5. Monin Cup FINAL – NZ event on Tuesday 28th May
a. The main event would be used to determine the winner, second, and third place.
b. It is a single round cocktail competition for all contestants, judged by industry experts.
c. Any additional rounds may be added and is up to the discretion of the local event organizers. These additional rounds must be held after all contestants gets the chance to showcase the recipes that they have registered.
d. All costs to get to Auckland and to the event must be borne by the contestant – flights, accommodation etc.
e. Contestants must be available to attend the finals event in Auckland on the 28th May, 2024. Contestants must be available to attend that event at that date and time, all costs incurred in attending the event are at the expense of the contestant.
6. Competition Format & Timings
Competitors will have 30 minutes in the pre-stage area to prepare their garnishes, finalize their ingredients, and ensure that all aspects of their drink are ready for presentation (garnishes can be prepared beforehand).
Once the competition begins, competitors will have 3 minutes to set up their station.
After the countdown, they will have 10 minutes to prepare and present their cocktail, explaining its inspiration and connection to the competition’s theme. Four identical servings of the cocktail will be prepared, three of which will be served to the judges and one for photography or display purposes.
Finally, competitors will have 2 minutes to clean up their station and return all equipment and ingredients to their original places.
Pre-Stage Area : 30 Minutes
Preparation Time : 3 Minutes
Presentation Time : 10 Minutes
Clean-Up Time : 2 Minutes
7. Prizes
The 2 runners up will receive a $200 gift card & Monin goody bag.
The NZ winner will receive a sponsored trip (flights and accommodation) to the regional Asia Pacific finals held in Malaysia.
NZ winner must hold relevant visas to be able to travel to Malaysia to attend this event.
In the event that the winner is unable to attend this event in Malaysia for any reason, it is at the local organizer’s discretion to select the replacement contestant to represent NZ in the finals in Malaysia.
The top three winners from the Asia Pacific finals would go on to represent their countries in the Grand Finals in Paris.
8. Results
a. The local organizers are responsible for collecting, managing, and calculating the results.
b. Winners are determined by a combination of the score sheet and the judge’s evaluation.
c. We will contact the winner directly by phone call or email to tell them of the result. The results will be published on our social media channels.
9. General Considerations
Each competitor are required to present the same exact cocktail recipe submitted before the entry deadline and not make any changes or alterations as this will result in points deduction.
It is the responsibility of the organizers to provide all MONIN products required for the competitors during the competition day.
When the recipe is submitted, the organizing committee will tell which ingredients can be made available and which ones must be brought by the competitor. Some ingredients may not be available at the competition location, so make sure it is taken into consideration. Where there are no particular partnership or sponsorships with other brands, candidates are required to bring their own alcohol to use during the competition.
Competitors will need to bring all their own glassware or serving vessels that they need, making sure there is enough for the 4 drinks to be prepared. If there is a glassware partner, the competitor will be required to choose among the partner’s choice of glasses.
Participants are advised to bring their own equipment to prepare their drink and garnish (Jigger, shaker, etc). It is the competitor’s responsibility to make sure their equipment and mise-en-place is complete within the 3-minute preparation time. Garnishes will be prepared separately.
10. Recipe & Ingredient Requirements
To create the final drink, competitors must include at least 10ml of any MONIN product, such as Le Sirop de MONIN, Le Fruit de MONIN or any available range in your specific country. Multiple MONIN products are acceptable if the product is available in the Asia Pacific region and supplied by MONIN Asia. If competitors are using sugar substitute syrups such as MONIN Agave, Honey, Gum or Pure Cane Sugar Syrups, this will need to be accompanied by a second MONIN product/flavor.
Competitors are free to incorporate any edible ingredients from brands not competing with MONIN (syrups, purees, or liqueurs) into their recipes. The number and quantity of ingredients used are unrestricted, as long as they are safe for consumption.
Only one homemade ingredient is permitted per competitor, but it must satisfy the following criteria:
•It can be an infusion, bitter, juice etc…
•Homemade syrups, cordials, or similar products must be based on MONIN products. For instance, “Pineapple and curry syrup” should be a blend of MONIN Pineapple syrup and curry powder.
•If using a homemade syrup, cordial, or comparable product, an unadulterated MONIN product must also be included in the recipe.
•Homemade syrups are forbidden if an identical flavor exists in the MONIN range.
•All homemade components must be thoroughly explained, including the recipe, and submitted on the registration form before the application deadline.
Garnishes can be edible or not, if they are consistent with the drink or the theme of the competition.
This year’s theme emphasizes the growing popularity of No/Low ABV cocktails, so we’re introducing a new requirement for the final drink’s alcohol content: the beverage must have a maximum ABV of 8% before dilution.
You must use the ABV calculator provided to measure and calculate your recipes before submission: https://www.cocktailcalc.com/
11. Rejections, Penalties and Disqualifications
Local event organizers may reject any contestant, contestant’s recipe, or any recipe name if the event organizers consider any of those aspects unacceptable, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the theme, rules and regulations. Points may be deducted, or contestants may be disqualified if:
a. There are changes to their submitted recipe.
b. Contestants are tardy.
c. Contestants go over time (one (1) point would be deducted for every second over time, up to a maximum of 100 points)
d. Contestants do not clean the presentation area for the next contestant.
e. Contestants are disrespectful to other contestants, judges, event organizers, venue staff and/or members of the audience .
f. Contestants are not representing themselves, their communities or their respective schools and/or workplace in the best possible light.
g. Local event organizers are responsible for managing and determining these rejections, penalties and disqualifications .
h. Local event organizers have final say on the above rejections, penalties and disqualification.
12. Code of Conduct for all.
a. Everyone is expected to behave ethically, honestly and with integrity.
b. Respect fellow judges, competitors, volunteers and staff at all times.
c. Everyone will be honest in their behavior and will respect the rights, opinions, and culture of all others involved in the competition.
d. Everyone must represent their brand, company and/or organization well.
e. Everyone, especially contestants and judges are encouraged to exchange information and knowledge to advance the bartending craft as a whole.
f. Everyone is expected to be devoted to seeking drink excellence.
This is the expected code of conduct for everyone participating and involved in the Monin Cup competition. This includes contestants, judges, event organizers, spectators and venue/third party support staff.