New York, NY (October 1, 2008) – Miami mixologist John Lermayer won the 2008 National Bar Chef Challenge with two uniquely crafted Domaine de Canton cocktails. The Bar Chef Challenge was held on July 18 in New Orleans during Tales of the Cocktail, one of the country’s most extensive and respected cocktail festivals.

The Bar Chef Challenge, created by famed Mixologist Dale DeGroff, tests the limits, imagination and skills of the industry’s best bartenders and mixologists. The competition challenged seven premiere mixologists from across the country to create two cocktails in 40 minutes using a “secret ingredient” – ginger marmalade. Lermayer swept the competition and wowed the judges with two Domaine de Canton infused cocktails. The Rittenhouse Rose combines Domaine de Canton, Rittenhouse Rye, sweet rosemary ginger beer, apple juice, ginger marmalade, and muddled lemon. The Alana Marie is made with Charbay Walnut liqueur, sweet ginger basil cream whipped with Domaine de Canton, vanilla raspberry float, and topped with Lambic Framboise Beer and black walnut drizzle.

John Cooper, founder of Domaine de Canton, said of Lermayer’s win, “John did an amazing job demonstrating Domaine de Canton’s versatility in two fantastic cocktails.”

Lermayer, originally from New York City, has spent the last 10 years as Miami’s premiere mixologist. After honing his skills at The Shore Club’s Skybar, Lermayer was handpicked by Lenny Kravitz and Morgans Hotel Group’s Ben Pundole to become lead mixologist at The Florida Room at the Delano Hotel. Lermayer is known for using the freshest ingredients in his vast list of cocktail creations. His distinctive Florida Room cocktails have a loyal celebrity following which includes Eva Longoria, John Mayer and Jamie Foxx.

The Bar Chef Competition was co-hosted by Food Goddess Lorin Gaudin and Kevin Brauch, host of Thirsty Traveler on the Fine Living Network. The judging panel included industry heavyweights such as renowned mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim and distinguished chef John Besh. The event took place during Tales of the Cocktail, which is presented annually by non-profit organization The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society. Held in the illustrious French Quarter, Tales of the Cocktail draws thousands of the nation’s top food and beverage professionals, journalists, authors, mixologists, chefs, and bartenders. The five-day affair is packed with stimulating events such as dinner-pairings, seminars, competitions, cocktail demonstrations, and tastings.

About Domaine de Canton
Domaine de Canton, the world’s first super premium ginger liqueur, is made with fresh, all natural ingredients such as handpicked Vietnamese baby ginger, Tahitian vanilla, Provençal orange blossom honey and Tunisian ginseng. In Jarnac, the heart of France’s cognac region, Domaine de Canton is infused with VSOP and Grand Champagne cognac. Together, these carefully blended ingredients create an intense and complex taste that is delicious and sublime.

Product Availability
Domaine de Canton retails for $32.00 a bottle and is available at chic night spots, fine restaurants, and wine & spirits retailers in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia.