In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Habanos World Days in the United Kingdom on June 20th, 21st, and 22nd, Hunters & Frankau embarked on a quest to discover the ultimate Trinidad Perfect Pairing.
On Tuesday, April 16th, the Masters of Habanos gathered to showcase their expertise and propose the finest beverage to complement a cigar from Trinidadβs esteemed collection.
The Competition
Competitors hailed from some of Londonβs most prestigious Habanos venues, each ready to advocate for their selected Trinidad Perfect Pairing.
Second Place: Sayfiera Rosidi of Sparrow Italia
Sayfiera Rosidi earned second place with an innovative and decadent pairing of a Trinidad Vigia, a ChΓ’teau Suduiraut (Sauternes), and a Burnt Basque Cheesecake. This combination was both imaginative and delicious, capturing the judges’ attention.
First Place: Antonios Giannousakis & Robert Tomko of Birley Cigars
The winning duo, Antonios Giannousakis and Robert Tomko, impressed the judges with a pairing that will be unveiled to attendees during the βSeminar & Exhibitionβ event on Friday, June 21st. Their expertise and creativity set their pairing apart from the rest.
High Standards and Passionate Participation
Jimmy McGhee of Hunters & Frankau remarked, βThe standard of competition was exceptionally high, and everyone who participated brought a unique perspective to the challenge. We are extremely fortunate to have such knowledgeable and passionate individuals in the UK Habano market.β
Esteemed Judging Panel
The panel of judges included:
- Jose Antonio Cejas (H&F Corporate Director)
- Ana Lopez (H&F Head of Marketing for Havanas & Special Projects)
- Christopher Coates (Whisky Magazine Editor-at-Large)
- Jimmy McGhee
The competition highlighted the depth of talent and passion within the Habanos community, setting the stage for an unforgettable Habanos World Days celebration.
