The Passion Flair Bartender began in 2006 in Gaeta, Italy through the ambition of a man who has had many, many years experience in the world of bartending – Francesco Santillo. Francesco started the Passion Flair Bartender as he saw it as a good opportunity to transfer the vast knowledge and prestige he had developed over his long career to local managers and young bartenders.

More than a flair bartender competition, Passion Flair Bartender is first and foremost a bartender school and produce a number of very high-quality vocational training courses aimed at shaping new, specialised bartenders in the preparation of beverages of all kinds. Bringing in elements of technical knowledge, product knowledge, social relations and practical application, the Passion Flair Bartender school provides a great basis for any bartender starting out.

Not only are all bartending elements covered, as well as flair bartending elements, but also chances to take place in international competitions and even languages courses for bartenders. Since 2006 over 1800 students have taken part in coursers at the Passion Flair Bartender school and have gone on to work at some of the world’s best bars and clubs. 

The Gaeta Passion Flair Competition – WFA Grand Slam

Now in its 7th year, the Gaeta Passion Flair Competition has risen out of the great work that has been going on at the Passion Flair Bartender bar school for many years and has been recognised as the one of the years greatest flair bartending events.

Some of the biggest names in flair bartending have competed at Gaeta Passion Flair Competition and this year will be no different with 42 different bartenders stepping up to the plate. Supported by the local city administration and other local sponsors, Gaeta is very proud of the Passion Flair Bartender Competition where somewhere in the region of 2500 people are expected to attend to watch.

This year Gaeta Passion Flair Competition will be the 4th WFA Grand Slam of 2017 and represents a fantastic opportunity for a number of flair bartenders to assert their position at the top of the WFA World Champion leaderboard.

Where and When?

The Gaeta Passion Flair Competition will be going down on the 19th May, 2017 at Christian Bar, Conca Square, Via Faustina 20, Gaeta, Italy at 11.30AM. A live stream will also be available, with the link to follow…

What to expect

Currently 42 bartenders are signed up to compete. There are 2 rounds in the Gaeta Passion Flair Competition, a qualification round – followed by the final. During the qualification round the flair bartenders will have 4 minutes to perform their routine and make 2 cocktails – of the sponsors choosing – and then the top 10 plus the top female flair bartender (if they don’t already make up the top 10), will proceed to the final round.

The judges will decide the scores for all competitors, although qualification scores will not carry through into the final round. Our very own Head of Gradings @thomasdyer-3 will be sitting as Head judge alongside Tony Adams and Szabolcs Szoke. Deduction judges will be Valerio Capaldo and Mario Pipicella, who will be joined for the final round by cocktail judges Mattia Perciballi and Gianluca Brizi.

In a nice added touch, all the finalists will be required to perform a speed opening round before starting their final routine. The fastest bartender will be awarded €100. Following the end of the competition around midnight local time the after party will begin.

How do I enter?

All participants looking to take part in this WFA Grand Slam must register on the World Flair Association website here: //www.worldflairassociation.com/events/gaeta-passion-flair-competition-2017/. All competing bartenders must be at least 18 years of age.

Awards will be presented to the top 6 bartenders in the final round as well as an award for the Best Female Flair Bartender. A total of €5,100.00 will be shared out amongst the top 6 with €2000.00 going to the winner.