Mirror Hospitality Expo recap.
During five days in May, Bratislava experienced a professional presentation of the work of world-class bartenders, chefs and sommeliers. For the first time, the capital hosted the unique gastronomic festival Mirror Hospitality Expo 2023, which was organized by the Mirror Cocktail Bar of the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel together with partners.
The first day belonged to students and chefs
On Friday, May 19, students from Slovak secondary professional schools had the opportunity to learn more about the work and experience of professionals from the gastro sector. The organizers prepared four interesting lectures for them. Maroš Petrikovič introduced the students to the world of bartending, and the trio Peter Marcina, Dominik Tapušik and Filip Rebroš talked about the most important thing that bartenders can offer their guests - hospitality. Ľuboš Rácz, the legend of the Slovak bar industry, answered questions about his 34-year professional career, as well as how he managed to build the great Záhir bar in Nitra. At the end of Friday morning, Peter Lunter, the sommelier of the currently best restaurant in Slovakia - ECK, shared his experiences with the guests. During the lectures, young representatives of five countries (Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria) competed in the first international bartending competition in our country. The winner convinced the expert jury not only with his theoretical but also with his practical skills and became an example of the fact that if students are properly guided, they can create a quality basis at a young age.
From Friday noon, the stage belonged to the best chef names. Martin Záhumenský, one of the most famous Slovak chefs, was the co-organizer of the cooking show. The visitors had the opportunity to see and above all taste dishes from Martin Novák and Petr Brach, who prepared dishes from Austro-Hungarian cuisine. Daniel Tilinger and Jozef Breza looked at the innovation of Slovak cuisine, and its modern version was prepared by Lukáš Hesko and Peter Slačka. Gabriel Kocák and Michal Konrád presented a fusion of Slovak dishes. The highlight of the cooking show was the legend of world gastronomy Marco Pierre White, who was watched by dozens of curious visitors. Those who reserved their place in time could also taste his famous Italian risotto. During his cooking, Marco actively took on the role of host and answered the questions of the curious audience.
Part of the Mirror Hospitality Expo 2023 was the MARKET, where the partners of the event presented themselves. Visitors could taste and buy mixed cocktails, spirits, meat products, oysters and other delicacies intended for every lover of high-quality gastronomy. Last but not least, the exhibition of the renowned and world-awarded Slovak glassblower and artist Patrik Ill, who was joined by the Polish designer Aleksandra Stence, became part of the Expo as well. This created a unique exhibition of the author's designer works made of glass, joined by an exhibition of photographic prints The Cocktail Balance, which were created during the photo shooting of Stanislav Harciník's bartending book of the same name, and which were created by the author Adrián Chrzan.
Education as part of the festival
However, Mirror Hospitality Expo 2023 was not only about tasting excellent food and fantastic drinks. "As organizers, we wanted to pass on the knowledge of our segment to the visitors, so that they can learn more about our work," said Peter Marcina from the Mirror Cocktail Bar of the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel on behalf of the organizers. Our guests prepared for the visitors a series of educational lectures and masterclasses, which took place at the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel. Besides, the visitors could experience special guest shifts in five bars and restaurants and special menus in more than 15 bars and restaurants, that could be found on the event's gastronomic map.
Mexicans Ismael Martínez and David Negrete Lopez came from Hanky Panky, the 13th best bar in the world, and prepared a guest shift at Old Fashioned Bar in Old Town on Friday. The Mirror Cocktail Bar of the Carlton Hotel welcomed Zoltán Nagy from Budapest's Boutiq’Bar and the already mentioned legend, Slovak Ľuboš Rácz from the Záhir bar. Mila Chernii, co-founder and co-owner of the POLUNOCHNYKY (Nighthawks) bar in Ukraine, presented herself on Friday at the Antique American Bar.
On Saturday, guests at the Old Fashioned Bar could enjoy cocktails by Eddie Rudzinskas, who is behind the Cocktails for You brand. The successful Czech bartender Vítězslav Cirok, who runs the Becher's Bar in Karlovy Vary, introduced himself at the Antique American Bar and Michalska Cocktail Room introduced Cesár Montilla from the Catalan bar Dr. Stravinsky.
On Sunday, the world's most famous rum ambassador Ian Burrell introduced himself to visitors at a seminar at the Radisson Blu Carlton. He spoke about rum and myths about it. In the evening, Alicja Baczyk from Krakow's Tag bar prepared drinks at the Antique American Bar. Tania Shamshur, who is the owner of the Brussels bar Edgar’s Flavors, presented herself in the Michalska Cocktail Room on the same evening.
Monday's guest shifts culminated with the world-award-winning guest Joe Schofield from SCHOFIELD'S BAR at the Mirror Cocktail Bar, and David Cordoba, a prominent figure in the rum industry with over 30 years of experience, who presented his art at The Cuba Libre Bar.
Successful Slovaks from abroad
At the Mirror Hospitality Expo 2023, Slovaks who manage successful bars and restaurants around the world also came to present their art. On Saturday, Martin Siska, who works at London's Scarfes Bar, presented his art to visitors at the Mirror Cocktail Bar. Martin is Area Director of Bars, and he is in charge of all the bars in Europe that belong to the Rosewood Hotel Group. Together with him, Maroš Dzurus also presented his skills. Maroš helped the Himkok bar from Oslo get into the ranking of the World’s 50 Best Bars with his honest work. He has been working in Norway for eight years. Another Slovak guest in the Old Fashioned Bar was a native of Poprad, Boris Ivan, who worked in bars in Slovakia, London, and Prague. Throughout his career, he also worked for celebrities such as Jay-Z and Robbie Williams.
On Sunday, Martin Siska and Maroš Dzurus shared their experiences at professional seminars. The representatives of Termini London - Maroš Potůček and Alessandro Belometti prepared a Sunday brunch for the guests on the terrace of the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel. The evening at the Mirror Cocktail Bar belonged to another successful Slovak, Marián Beke, who runs the iconic bar The Gibson, which moved from London to Berlin. He also reflected his talent in the creation of the brand of liqueurs, bitters and vermouths of the same name. Martin Hudák came from Australia and hosted the visitors in the Sky Bar. Martin started his career in Slovakia and step by step worked his way up into a co-owner of one of the most successful bars in the world - Maybe Sammy Sydney, which constantly wins international awards and builds a network of establishments throughout Australia.
We know the winner of the bartending competition
The programme at Mirror Hospitality Expo 2023 also included the Slovak round of the world-famous bartending competition Diageo World Class, which is a recognized authority in the world. At the same time, it helps set trends and promotes awareness about the bartending world. The winner became Evica Domonji from the Mirror Cocktail Bar, who will represent Slovakia at the world finals of the competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Part of the jury was in addition to Martin Hudák also Adrián Michalčík, who managed to win the world finals of the Diageo World Class competition in Sydney last year, becoming the best bartender in the world for 2022. Adrián is also part of the Pier 42 Bar, which was thanks to his ambitious work awarded The Best Bar in Norway.
"The first year brought a truly unique atmosphere to the Slovak capital and its surroundings. During five days, we could enjoy the best of the best that our sector has to offer in the world. We are already looking forward to the next year, when we will again bring something exclusive and interesting to our guests and visitors," concludes Peter Marcina from the Mirror Cocktail Bar of the Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel, who organized the entire festival.
You can follow the official website or the official Instagram account for any updates.
