Italian restaurant Cucina presents an exciting hands-on Mixology Masterclass hosted by Chief Mixologist Maurice Bekouchi. The one-hour craft-learning class will be held on the last Thursday of each month starting from 6pm at Cucina. ‘Aperitivo’ is inclusive of the masterclass with free-flow of Italian bites and wines.
Maurice was recently awarded by China Hong Kong Bartenders Association as a Top 10 candidate in the AllWorld Open Cup Creative Classic Cocktail Competition at HOFEX 2017. The Moroccan-born Chief Mixologist has more than 15 years of mixology experience around the world, including Morocco, Canada, Australia and now Hong Kong.
After graduating from Ecole Hôtelière de Casablanca with a Management and Tourism degree in 2001, Maurice continued his Mixology studies in Canada. He has worked as a bartender and mixologist in several renowned bars and hotels around the globe, including The Royal Garden, Pacific Club Hong Kong, Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Terminus Bar Clifton Hill Melbourne, Ovolo Hotels Group and currently as a Chief Mixologist at Cucina, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel.
Maurice will be ‘shaking up a storm’, entertaining cocktail lovers with his secret recipes and enlightening participants with exclusive skills of the craft, such as mixing, shaking, muddling, pouring and straining. The hands-on learning enables participants to experience the taste of different liquors, get to know the origin of an array of spirits, learn when to shake or stir, and ultimately create their own impressive cocktails. Based on the knowledge gained during the class, a certificate will be issued to all successful participants upon completion.
As well as teaching basic bartending techniques and skills, Maurice will share his secret recipes and tips for making classic cocktails such as the Bloody Mary, Manhattan and Cosmopolitan, and signature cocktails like the vodka-based Moscow Mule and the French 75 made with Champagne and gin. He always has some surprises up his sleeve.
Raise The Bar participants are also invited to experience Cucina’s popular ‘Aperitivo’, offering a gourmet selection of Italian charcuterie, antipasti and excellent cheeses accompanied by a free- flow of fine wines, beer, spirits and cocktails alongside panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Participants can enjoy an all-in-one price of HK$388 per person including the mixology masterclass, equipment and ingredients for two cocktails, as well as the ‘Aperitivo’ (original price HK$268 per person), which participants can enjoy before or after class between 5:30pm to 8pm from Mondays to Fridays.
Explore the world of mixology and craft your own cocktails every last Thursday of the month from 6pm-7pm only at Cucina, Level 6, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. For enquiries or reservations, please call 2113 0808.
Cucina
Address: Level 6, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: 2113 0808
* Prices are subject to a 10% service charge