Presenting the T.G.I Friday's Stars Behind the Bar

T.G.I.Friday’s, the first American casual dining chain in the Philippines recently invited yours truly to get to know the Stars Behind The Bar of TGI Friday’s. The event was held at T.G.I Friday's located at BGC.

T.G.I Fridays launch the first leg of  the Stars Behind the Bar tour, which includes a showcase of celebrity bartenders, free drinks, and a chance to learn basic flairs and cocktails.

Introducing to you the following Stars Behind the Bar.

 

Gino “The Bomb” Simbillo

T.G.I.Friday’s Marquee Mall, Pampanga

Gino, unlike other newbies, has already joined (and won) bartending competitions. He finds memorable a T.G.I.Friday’s-sponsored competition where he was declared champion, besting other student-contenders.

He compares himself to the “Strawberry Mango Lemonade” because of its sweetness with a twist. “Like me, I put a twist in everything I do.”

Aldrin “The One” Javar

T.G.I.Friday’s TriNoMa

Earning his keep while studying, Aldrin has been to different places, even working in a casual dining restaurant in Singapore. But when he heard about T.G.I.Friday’s, this TESDA bartending contest winner immediately came back home and tried his luck. Aldrin not only landed his dream job, he is also on his way to fulfilling his bartending dream.

If he were a drink, Aldrin says he would most probably be a “Rum Runner” because it represents his career and the journey he is yet to face—“An unexpected but exciting one, that is,” he says.

Junjun “The Entertainer” Marcelo

T.G.I.Friday’s Malate

When it comes to bartending, JunJun knows how to entertain with winning flair-tending moves, impressive dance steps, funny facial expressions, and of course, the unique music he is known for. He has been handpicked by Department of Tourism to promote “It’s more fun in the Philippines” to countries like India and Dubai.

If he were a drink, he would be “The Apple Mojito.” Junjun says, “Aside from being one of the popular drinks in T.G.I.Friday’s, you can taste the sweetness first but there’s a strong kick somewhere.”

Genrev “The Revolution” Bacasno

T.G.I.Friday’s Tomas Morato

GenRev “The Revolution” Bacasno was the champion in last year’s TGI Friday’s “Shake, Rattle and Pour Bartending Championship!” His excellent showmanship, bartending skills, sunny personality and impressive working flair catapulted him to the top and gave him the chance to represent Friday’s Philippines at the Asian Bartending Competition held in Melbourne, Australia last November where he placed 2nd runner up.  

Michael “Unstoppable”Rabago

T.G.I.Friday’s Glorietta

“I will not allow anybody stop me from achieving my goals,” Michael declares. Thus, this engineering graduate seized the opportunity to pursue his passion, bartending. He continues, “Every bartender in TGI Friday’s aspires to be the greatest; that’s why we compete – to challenge ourselves.”

“I’m like the Ultimate June Bug. It’s a rich combination of flavors, a marvelous mix of all that is good. I push myself to the limit because I have only one goal: to be T.G.I.Friday’s greatest,” he declares.

Ronilo “The Showstopper” Bautista

T.G.I.Friday’s Mall of Asia

The HRM graduate has dreamt about being a bartender at T.G.I.Friday’s since he was in college, inspired by the world-class bartenders that worked at the restaurant. To achieve the dream, he began competing while still in school, eventually winning competitions. He says, “Being asked to join T.G.I.Friday’s is where my journey begins to reach my dream – to be doing exactly what I love – bartending.”

The featured bartenders went through a rigorous round of auditions, with most being previous participants of the renowned Shake, Rattle, and Pour Bartending Championship, which will be on its 18^th year in 2013. T.G.I.Friday’s is known for popularizing flair tending, and hosted the first known flair bartending competition in the US in 1985. Patrons are also known to flock the bar to watch bartenders dazzle with flips, flairs, and tricks before drinks are delivered with a personalized touch.

The T.G.I.Friday’s Stars Behind the Bar tour is in partnership with Stolichnaya Vodka. Catch the tour at the following dates and locations: Bonifacio High Street on March 21, April 11 and 25, and May 9; Glorietta on March 22, April 12 and 26, and May 10; Mall of Asia on April 4 and May 16; Eastwood on April 5 and May 17; TriNoma on April 14 and May 4; Malate on April 18 and May 23; Alabang Town Center on April 19 and May 24; Tomas Morato on May 2 and 30; Robinsons Galleria on May 3 and 31.

T.G.I.Friday’s is a Bistro Group restaurant, and its latest promo is part of the group-wide Taste the Love campaign.