Cook Islands Chef’s Association (CICA) is calling out to all cocktail gurus to bring their flavours and flair to Rarotonga’s Innovative Cocktail Championships this Friday.

Cook Islands Chef’s Association (CICA) is calling out to all cocktail gurus to bring their flavours and flair to Rarotonga’s Innovative Cocktail Championships this Friday.

President of the CICA, Karlene Taokia says, the purpose of the event is to have some competitive fun, see who has the most skills, and who is the top mixologist on the island.

The criteria is based on the acronym T.A.S.T.E.S (taste, appearance, safety measures, texture, execution and speed) with a 12 point system.

And judges will be looking for a flavourful, well presented, hygienical, safe and “awesome beverage”.

Hygiene and safety are important throughout the competition, and competitors are asked to be dressed appropriately; the handling of ingredients (fresh, wet or dry) must be at the highest of care from the start to the end of the event; no power (electricity) will be supplied; the innovative cocktails must be produced by traditional methods - shaken, stirred, muddled, built, layered or a combination of multiple traditional methods; competitors are also required to provide their own ingredients and equipment.

Each participant is required to produce two identical cocktails within 15 minutes (including the setup of a bench).

Everyone is invited to watch the event from 3 to 5pm at the Hula Bar - Islander Hotel on Friday.

Registrations close today December 1 and the description of the drink must be submitted no later than 5pm, call mobile 57-549 or email cookislands.chefs@gmail.com to register.