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World Resort bartender tops Taste of Marianas tilt
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Posted on May 22 2005
A World Resort Saipan bartender bested 10 of his colleagues on island in the Bartenders Cocktail Competition at the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden on Saturday.
Alvin Palma’s concoction, dubbed the “Susupe Blend,” earned him the grand prize of $200 cash, a camera phone from Verizon, a trophy, and a medal. He also took home another $100, a trophy, and a medal for winning the Best in Showmanship award.
Palma’s closest rival was Pacific Islands Club’s Marvin Salamat, who lost by a slight margin of 0.91 point. Salamat received $150 cash, a trophy, and a medal for his concoction, “Marianas Lagoon.”
Placing third was Rogel Caruana, also of World Resort Saipan, who bagged $75 cash, a trophy, and a medal for the cocktail “Bird Island Paradise.” Caruana also shared the Malibu Best in Taste award with Abyss Bar’s Jojo Solmarin.
Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Ernie Garcia won a special award for topping the overall taste category.
The other participants were Raymond Tolentino of Pacific Islands Club, Charlton Lipa of Aqua Resort Saipan, Ariel Whyudi of Hyatt Regency Saipan, Reynaldo Lopez of Abyss Bar, Michael Bederio of Saipan Grand Hotel, and Ramil Eustaquio of Hafadai Beach Hotel.
The judges for the taste category were KZMI’s Lewy Tenorio, Younis Art Studio’s Laila Younis, and Marianas Public Lands Authority’s Frank Eliptico.
The judges for the rest of the categories, which included showmanship, aroma, name relevance, overall table presentation, were Johny’s Bar and Grill owner Koji Takeda, KCMI sales manager Bob Webb, Hard Rock Café operation manager Christopher Seldon, and United Filipino Organization’s Ed Reyes.
The Taste of the Marianas, which features local and international cultures and dishes, will be held for the last time this year on May 28, Saturday, at the American Memorial Park. (Agnes E. Donato)
