Francesca Bucari: the organizational heart of the contest

Hi Francesca, tell us who you are and briefly the path that brought you here.
"I have been working at Planet One for 20 years, today I am a food & beverage consultant and I organize industry events, from mixology team buildings to competitions, such as the Maldon Salt Cocktail Contest."

Let's talk about the SALE MALDON event: what is the idea behind this project and how did you organize the various stages of its realization?
"The idea was born from a meeting with the Montosco company, which has been the official distributor in Italy for Maldon salt for 3 years. The mission was to make the qualities of this salt known not only in the restaurant industry, where it is already fully appreciated, but also in the world of mixing.

We started 3 years ago with the first edition of the contest, at the end of which industry experts held masterclasses on the Maldon product in the main Italian cities. The event immediately aroused strong interest, especially among young bartenders and mixing professionals. Suffice it to say that in just two years we went from 50 registrations to over 180 participants in the last edition."

Our THRILL JET was made available to all participants for the contest. How can an accessory or a particular element like salt improve a competition?
"The success of each competition is made first and foremost by the guys who participate in the event, who with their professionalism and energy always give us so many emotions. The second fundamental point is the organization and involvement of other entities such as THRILL International, which made available a glass chiller much appreciated by those who, during the competition, wanted to use it. Tools of this type can really make the difference."

What are the 3 key elements to take into consideration to give that extra "pinch of salt" to an event?
"Balance, energy and empathy."

Gian Maria Ciardulli: the winner of the Maldon Salt Cocktail Contest 2024

Tell us briefly who you are and your experience in the world of bartending.
"I am an award-winning bartender and sommelier. My work is born from passion and a Martini! I started as a young man in my hometown, Rome, working in nightlife venues for fun and as a side job. After a short stint in Spain, I discovered the Martini, performed by Mauro Lotti, and I understood the true meaning of the figure of the bartender.

From there I began to study, develop my professionalism and improve my hospitality. Today, for emotional reasons, I have stopped to work permanently in Tuscany, where I am the bar manager of the Donna di Cuori in Cecina. The secret of the perfect cocktail? A beautiful smile, lots of love and careful knowledge. My favorite? Obviously a nice Martini cocktail!"

Why did you choose to participate in this contest?
"I decided to participate because I love challenges and I believe they are an opportunity to test myself, compare myself with other professionals and learn something new. Furthermore, events like this are unique opportunities to express my creativity and share my vision of bartending with a wider audience... and above all, have fun!"

Which cocktail allowed you to reach the final? And how did you approach this last phase?
"The cocktail with which I reached the final is the Maldon Gimlet N°3, a creation that combines tradition and innovation, with salt as the protagonist. I worked on a balance of flavors that told something about me and my professional path. Here the salt was presented in three different consistencies, and I also used three types of salt chosen specifically for the drink. In short, the number three was the common thread of my Gimlet!

In the last phase I focused everything on concentration and attention to detail, trying to convey passion and dedication through my drink. I prepared myself by studying ingredients and techniques to offer a truly unique experience."

Salt adds flavor and enriches a dish. What is the "pinch of salt" that you add as a person and as a professional to make your work better?
"My “pinch of salt” is the ability to connect with people. I believe that bartending is not just about making cocktails, but creating a moment of sharing and pleasure. As a professional, my touch is attention to detail: from the choice of ingredients to the presentation, I want every customer to feel special."

You met THRILL during this event. How do you think it can optimize the work of a bartender?
"THRILL is an innovative technology that can really make a difference in our work. It optimizes preparation times, guarantees precision and constant quality and allows us to dedicate more attention to the customer, who is the true heart of our profession. Tools like THRILL help improve efficiency behind the bar without sacrificing creativity."