Winning drinks to be available at all Accor hotels in Thailand as travel rebounds
The Coca-Cola system in Thailand led by Mr. Jason Riley (3rd left), Assistant Vice President, HORECA ThaiNamthip Commercial, and Ms. Prapaporn Kanyakulworarat, HORECA Director, HaadThip plc,
in collaboration with Accor Hotels Group, led by Alice Jenkins (3rd right), Regional Director of Marketing and Loyalty, Accor Group with the winner and two runners-up of the Accor x Coca-Cola Mixology Competition 2022. The competition was for bartenders from Accor hotels, who mixed drinks combining Coca-Cola products and Thai herbs.
The Coca-Cola System in Thailand, which comprises ThaiNamthip Ltd., HaadThip plc, and Coca-Cola (Thailand) Ltd., has entered a new collaboration with Accor, the country's largest hotel operator, to host the debut 'Accor x Coca-Cola Mixology Competition 2022' as they aim to support the recovery of Thailand's tourism and hospitality industry and to highlight the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
The competition, held at SO/Bangkok, displayed the world-class skills of some of Thailand's bartenders who answered to the challenge of Accor Group and Coca-Cola. The contenders were asked to design new innovative drinks using popular mixer brands under the Coca-Cola portfolio such as Schweppes(R) and Coke(R) No Sugar products paired with some of the Thailand's local herbs and spices. The winning drinks will be available at all Accor hotels and resorts across Thailand soon.
Bringing home, the championship title was the 'Banora' drink by Mr. Suttiphat Kladpibal from the Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsit with 'Road to Phuket' by Mr. Mongkol Saengchud from V Villa Phuket Hotel and 'Caroline Sour' by Mr. Danuphan Jansuwan from the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort coming in as first and second runners-up, respectively.
Mr. Nigel Moore, Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage Southeast Asia and South Korea, Accor Group, said: "As a world leading hospitality group, operating 82 hotels and resorts in Thailand, we are happy to partner with Coca-Cola Thailand as we bring the '1st Accor x Coca-Cola Mixology Competition 2022' to life. The competition not only fosters innovation but also allows tourists to experience something new, allowing our Heartists to welcome back guests with a unique story behind the menu."
Mr. Jason Riley, Assistant Vice President, HORECA ThaiNamthip Commercial, said: "We have always believed our growth as a company is tightly knitted to the growth of the community, where we are part of. For decades, our commitment to Thailand has never wavered and this partnership with Accor Group is a testament of that. The competition is an opportunity not only to highlight the amazing skills of our Thai bartenders to the rest of the world, but to also provide a new exciting drinking experience that tourists can look forward to as we welcome them back to our country. Vacations and going around Thailand is definitely more amazing and relaxing while drinking any of our Coca-Cola beverages or Accor Groups' uniquely Thai drinks."
The winning drinks were determined by a panel of judges composed of: Ms. Alice Jenkins, Regional Director of Marketing and Loyalty, Accor Group; Mr. Jason Riley, Assistant Vice President, Horeca ThaiNamthip Commercial; and Mr. Pongphan Suepsangthai, President of the Thailand Bartender Association.
At the end of the competition, Mr. Suttiphat Kladpibal from the Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsit hotel and maker of the 'Banora' won a grand prize of 50,000 baht. The 'Banora' is an aperitif recipe with a mix of Earl Grey tea, banana syrup, and "Coke" No Sugar. According to Mr. Suttiphat, he was inspired by his hometown Kamphaengphet's most famous fruit, the bananas. Meanwhile, first runner-up, Mr. Mongkol Saengchud, of V Villa Phuket hotel took home 30,000 baht for his 'Road to Phuket' mixed drink, which includes fresh pineapple juice - influenced by Phuket's native pineapples - and "Coke" No Sugar beverage. The recipe of second runner-up, Mr. Danuphan Jansuwan of Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, levelled up a previous drink recipe by using more local ingredients such as passion fruit and cinnamon paired with "Coke" No Sugar. Mr. Danuphan's 'Caroline Sour' recipe won him 20,000 baht.
Tourists and even Thai residents can enjoy all three winning recipes in any of the Accor Group - Thailand properties. Accor Group owns and operates some of the top hotels, resorts, and vacation property brands in the world and in Thailand such as Sofitel, MGallery, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis.
To learn more about the campaign and upcoming events at www.facebook/cocacolaTH.