Bartenders Nathan Schwengle and Glenn Kemp win 4th annual Bartenders’ Brawl
The fourth annual Bartenders’ Brawl, originally created by Island Temptations Magazine, was hosted and produced by the Renaissance Aruba Resorts & Casinos, and held on the Festival Plaza in downtown Oranjestad, this past Saturday. The elegant event showcased a record of nine of Aruba’s top bartenders impressing event-goers with their original craft cocktail creations.
Aruba’s local spirit distributors were the essential collaborators to make this event happen—supplying all the liquor and necessary ingredients to produce these exciting libations for attendees of the event to enjoy. Renaissance’s culinary team fueled the guests with savory noshes like juicy beef sliders, mini chicken skewers, Spanish tapas, and kesio for dessert, while local deejay extraordinaire, Deejay Jason, provided an upbeat, lively backdrop to the festivities.
This year, in addition to the People’s Choice Award, a panel of judges selected the Judges’ Choice. Receiving the most votes from guests at the event and earning the People’s Choice Award was “Cunucu Sublime,” with Grey Goose Vodka presented by Tropical Bottling, created by Glenn Kemp, a bartender for Blue Bar, Renaissance Marina Tower.
Glenn used a number of fresh locally grown ingredients such as dates, shimarucu berries, aloe and passion fruit for his mix, and flavored it with lemon grass, and orange peel, adding an extra kick with Grand Marnier, Apricot Brandy, and Licor 43. Cunucu Sublime was garnished with edible flowers, looking and tasting phenomenal.
The five judges, three of them in the bar business, Ken Mata, Danny v/d Linden and Danvid Webb, event planner Maria Silva, and senior graphic designer Kyrenia Jonkhout, came to a unanimous decision on their favorite—the “Batch 27,” from bartender Nathan Schwengle, of the Apotheek Bar & Lounge, representing the Aruba Trading Company.
The judges praised the degree of difficulty in creating a nicely balanced cocktail with Monkey Shoulder, a blend of three single malts, with muddled blackberries, orange bitters, simple syrup, a dash of ginger ale, garnished with an orange peel.
The judges also lauded, second place winner Antonio Altomonte, representing Pepia Est NV, a bartender at the Lobby Bar & Restaurant, for his Kentucky Passion, made with Buffalo Trace, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bols Banana Liquor, Cointreau Noire, grapefruit bitters, ginger beer with a dash of vanilla sugar, garnished with a sliced strawberry topped with passion fruit puree and a basil leaf.
The judges were impressed by how well the Bourbon was paired, appreciating the bartender’s passion.
Another special commendation went to “Pasiflora Remedy,” presented by charismatic bartender Michael Gomes, for Manrique Capriles, with Fair Juniper Gin, made in Belize, paired with simple syrup, passion fruit, muddled cucumber, muddled ginger, topped with vegan garbanzo foam, garnished with crioyo cucumber and black sesame seeds.
Although there were ultimately just two winners, everyone in the crowd seemed to have their favorites.
Fitzgerald Arends, a bartender at La Vista Restaurant, Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino created “Purple Dragon,” with Fair Vodka, from Belize, imported by Manrique Capriles, with simple syrup, orange juice, Kumquat and Acai liquors, and lime juice, topped with egg white foam and colored sugar. Fitzgerald says the name of his libation was inspired by his baby sister, a purple dragon fan.
Effervescent Paola Cisneros, a bartender at Gelatissimo, Gianni’s Group, created “Dream Catcher” with Belvedere Vodka, of the Aruba Trading Company, with freshly made lemon sorbet, green apple and pear syrup, topped with chic Italian Prosecco, for a purple-pink- white creamy cocktail, she felt was cool, fresh, and elegant.
Lee Croes, a bartender at Heart Bar, created “Apple Pie,” which he called the story of his childhood in a glass, having spent many years in the USA. He mixed Bacardi 8 with the local Tamarijn juice, adding a simple syrup made with raisins, apples, sugar and pumpkin spice, topped with egg white foam, respecting the integrity of the dark Bacardi 8 brand, he said, and lightening it up with caramelized fruit.
Yanis Garcia, a bartender at Azia restaurant and cocktail lounge, Gianni’s Group, and last year’s title winner, created Blanca Mia, with Rum Diplomatico, of La Cava NV made with Diplomatico Blanco Reserva, aged for 6 years in the barrel, simple syrup, a dash of cinnamon, leeches juice, homemade mango, lime and ginger jam, Falernum sweet syrup as a traditional Caribbean modifier to the rum, and a hint of deoxygenated chili peppers, wonderfully balancing the opposing tastes.
Errol Allemekinders, a bartender at Salt & Pepper, served a cocktail created by Kevin Kock, of Divino Wine & Spirits, “Deconstructed Blackberry Mule,” with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, blackberries, and ginger air foam, a contemporary twist on a much-loved classic.
The team at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino and Island Temptations/wheninaruba were proud to provide a venue for Aruba’s talented bartenders to showcase their creativeness and further elevate the island’s growing craft cocktail scene. Cheers to all the bartenders and distributors that helped make this a dynamic evening!
Miss Aruba Anouk Eman and Food & Beverage Director Diego Lemasson, helped with the trophy presentation, both #1 place winners also received a weekend stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort.
Vote for Nurianne, Miss World Aruba, in the Head to head Challenge
The Miss World Head to Head Challenge began yesterday!
Vote for Aruba starting 24 of November 9pm.
Voting ends on the 28th of November.
Here is how you vote…
There are 4 ways to vote for your favorite contestant to advance to Round 2 of the Head to Head Challenge.
- Like the OFFICIAL Miss World Contestant Facebook Page “Miss World – Aruba”
- Vote on the Miss World Website – https://missworld.com/#/contestants – Click the link, click ARUBA, and click VOTE (You may vote once a day)
- Like and comment on photos on the OFFICIAL MobStar accounts.
- Vote on Model Power Live – https://nsvote.onemyair.com/en/?id=1 – Click the link, click the contestant and click like (You may vote once a day)
The contestant who performs the best among all four platforms will advance to Round 2 of the Head to Head Challenge.
In the past two weeks, Miss World Aruba, Nurianne Arias, hosted a fundraising dinner & auction event, designed to show off her wardrobe, in preparation for her trip to China.
Nurianne is presently a research assistant at the University of Aruba, having earned a Master degree in Public Administration, specialization in Health Care, at the Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social Sciences at the University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Organization, Governance and Management, OGM, at the Faculty of Arts and Science of the University of Aruba, where she qualified for the Student Thesis Award, Organization, Governance and Management, in the Faculty of Arts and Science of the University of Aruba.
Besides being extremely well-educated Nurianne is big on volunteering. She served as Commission Member of ‘Hoben y Talentoso’ a project presented by the Ministry of General Affairs Aruba, and other projects spearheaded by Kiwanis Circle K Club of the University of Aruba. While at the university in the Netherlands she participated in the United Nations Development Program Global Goals Jam.
Our beautiful Miss World speaks, write and read English, Dutch, Papiamento and Spanish, fluently.
Miss World 2018 will be the 68th edition of the pageant scheduled to take place in Sanya, China, on December 8, 2018.
Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar from India, will crown her successor at the end of the event.
Op=Op to open a new store in Paradera
The neighborhood of Paradera will be welcoming a new Op=Op location as the official grand opening is scheduled for November 30th, 9:30am.
Op=Op offers an excellent selection of healthcare, beauty and household products by the best international brands, and this new location will also feature the company’s wide variety of products, as expected, at rock bottom prices.
The new Op=Op is situated in the Fresh Market complex in Paradera and store hours are from 9.30-6.30 PM; on Sunday, December 2nd from 10-2PM.
To celebrate the occasion, the first 100 customers who come in to shop on opening day November 30th, will receive a gift!
Op=Op management is extremely grateful for all the support and positive response it received from the Aruban community in the last year, which motivated the company to open another location where residents of Paradera may take advantage of the amazingly low prices that Op=Op has to offer.
The Aruban community at large, and especially the resident of Paradera, are cordially invited to celebrate this grand opening!
You will find a combination of great prices and a pleasant shopping experience at the store, with over 2,800 products on shelves, for men, women and kids, ample parking, and easy access.
Op=Op Voordeelshop was founded in Klazienaveen, the Netherlands, in 1997, focusing on major international brands. Op=Op also acquired 30 former Blokker shops, bringing the total of outlets operated to over 160, employing more than 1,000 employees.
Aruba’s first Op=Op location opened on April 28th, 2017 in Savaneta, and the second on Italiestraat 38, servicing the Eagle/Sasaki area, followed by the current newest location in Paradera.
In preparation for ARUBA DOET 2019
ARUBA DOET 2019, will be the SEVENTH edition of the grass root, volunteer event, taking place on Friday, March 15th & Saturday 16th, 2019.
Organized by CEDE Aruba in cooperation with Oranje Fonds, it’s the largest volunteer event on the island.
Recently at the Divi Phoenix ballroom, the main organizers were introduced, they are novice Stephany Phelipa & the veteran Thixianne Wever. They explained that jointly in the few months leading up to the event they will help identify and register social projects, secure materials and volunteers and generally preparing for the big action-packed, result-oriented weekend.
They will be focusing on increased community involvement, on quality, sustainable projects, they will secure financial and material backing, plan all details, communicate with all stakeholders and promote the importance of volunteerism here, to mostly ensure that projects initiated are well executed.
With the hummingbird, a symbol of diligence and speed, as its mascot Aruba Doet sets out to beat last year’s record. According to the director of CEDE Aruba, Daniel Tecklenborg, his humble and super-efficient organization working in collaboration with the Dutch Kingdom, handled 207 projects in 2018, mobilizing almost 4,000 volunteers.
The gathering at the Divi Phoenix ballroom included a brain storming session and an interactive exchange of ideas and was very well attended.
Should you also want to participate as a volunteer, sign up today and help a social organization or a good cause together with friends or colleagues, your school or company. Yes, you may sign up as an individual or as a company. Whether you help painting a school, repairing playgrounds or spoiling a group of elderly, you will always have fun!
Cede Aruba: Beatrixstraat 8
tel: (+297)5827666
cell: (+297)568 6984
fax: (+297)5839076
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.arubadoet.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/arubadoet
New Washer & Dryer
One of my good friends reports:
Just on schedule before the holidays, my loyal, hard-working washer AND his sister dryer conked out, and refused to answer any of my commands, that’s it, they’ve had it.
It was Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. I considered myself lucky. I remember when another girlfriend’s OVEN conked out that same day, a number of years back, now that was a drama, with half-cooked turkeys and casseroles, but washer & dryer? That was a challenge I was sure I could handle.
I measured the space. I was proud of myself for doing that, and equipped with the measurements set up on Black Friday to make a purchase.
First stop, the highly recommended Unicon, showroom. They had none on the floor, but they showed me a handsome picture. Two gleaming white units, Whirlpool, stacked.
I happily paid Awg 3,400 and went home to wait for the technicians.
They came on Saturday, two of them, they pushed and shoved the oversize appliance into place and when they were done with the installation, they discovered they couldn’t shut the door, the contraption was poking out of its designated space.
When they tried to push it in an inch further, the water main broke which required the help of more men and more horses. I look forward to possibly Awg 600 extra water charges, on next month’s bill.
The Unicon technicians carted the appliance back, and I headed to Hagemeyer on Caya Milo Croes to check things out, but they too only had the same exact model, two gleaming white Whirlpool units, stacked; only theirs was Awg 100 MORE.
Cross the street to Price Smart. Same model, two gleaming white Whirlpool units, stacked, for Awg 2,299.85
Crown? Same model of two gleaming white Whirlpool units, stacked, for Awg 4,399, but they had a special 35% discount for cash. Which is still Awg 500 more than Price Smart.
I get it, the store provided a very helpful service, but at the end the people who can least afford it pay the most.
Do It Center? They no longer carry appliances, they are making room for Leen Bakker furniture.
Where is the Op=Op of home appliances? We need one on the island.
Andean wisdom in Aruba
Carlos Jorge Illapuma, a descendant of the Q’ero nation in Peru, a Quechua-speaking community, was invited by Centro Quivit to come to Aruba between November 27 and December 11 to share his ancestral Andean wisdom and healing techniques.
He will conduct sessions and trainings at the center, adjacent to St Michael Pavilion, and also agreed to share his energy with the seniors of Centro Quivit and YMCA in St Nicolaas.
Last Wednesday, he conducted an evening talk at the library, which I attended, my eyes were closing, I came from exercise, but before my lights turned off for the day, I learned the following:
A number of years ago, Andrew Fingal from Aruba met Carlos in Peru, in the Cusco region, was incredible affected by his physical, emotional and spiritual energy and invited him to Aruba.
Carlos showed up with his healing stones, his ceremonial poncho and his earflap Chullo hat, prepared to share his knowledge, teachings and healing techniques with Andrew and his friends. It was a success.
Then they repeated it once more.
The current visit is his 3rd, and each time he amasses more fans and followers, who are fascinated by his charisma, as he tried in his travels, to help restore people’s innate knowledge and awaken their higher awareness to prepare them for self-realization of a healing nature.
I know, we drifted away from nature and instinct and this Andean cosmovision for Energy, Balance and Self-Healing sounds a bit like Chinese, but I am attracted to the idea and will have a session, about managing my energy, with Carlos on Thursday.
From the Center’s press release:
Carlos travels to Aruba between November 27th and December 11th 2018, with the intention to collaborate in the growing awareness of the human race to conserve our natural resources and to awaken the magician that lives in each and every one of us and other living light-beings.
He will also teach techniques such as “Manage your Energy” or “Create your Own Universe” in a series of mini-workshops in the weekend of December 1st and 2nd at Centro Quivit where he will share the (self) healing rituals of the Andes. On December 8 and 9 there will be “Yachay,” initiations in a sacred location of Parke Arikok. Carlos will be available for private consults, private healings, Andean oracles and individual offerings for health, fortune and cleansing purposes. For appointments and Information on the workshops contact Whatsapp 593 9133 or email [email protected]
STER Aruba
PO Box 237
Oranjestad, Aruba
Arubabank# 2504670190
Tel: +297.5939133
FB: Centro QuiVit
FB: Qi Gong Aruba
