Kokova Magazine

Rum on down - back for its fifth year, UK RumFest returns to celebrate tropical culture in London - Kensington Olympia 2 for the 15th - 16th October 2011.

Rum is not just a drink - it’s a way of life.

For two days rum-lovers will have their taste buds tantalised by the world's most exclusive rums, listen to live bands playing exotic rhythms and sample some of the tropics most relaxing past times.

Plus, savour the delights of the brand new Tropical Food Market 2011 marks the fifth anniversary of UK RumFest, the world’s biggest festival dedicated to celebrating rum and sugarcane spirits.

To honour this landmark occasion UK RumFest has added a brand new Tropical Food Market to its already action-packed weekend of salsa dancing, cocktail sampling, live music, masterclasses and seminars.

This year UK RumFest is running two once-in-a-lifetime competitions.

The first, open to all visitors to the show, seeks to find the Rum Experience Chef of the Year who will be whisked off on an all expenses paid trip to the Taste Festival in Barbados.

The second celebrates the best barristers in London and hopes to find the 'Tiki Bar Tender of the Year' (sponsored by Don Q Rum) - who will be jetted off to Hollywood and receive a walk-on part in a A-list film.

Yo ho ho and 400 bottles of rum
Kensington's Olympia 2 will be transformed into a paradise island showcasing the finest that rum culture has to offer.

Rum enthusiasts can whet their palettes with over 400 rums from across the globe including brands like Bacardi from Puerto Rico; Appleton Estate from Jamaica; Havana Club from Cuba; Mount Gay Rum from Barbados; Ron Zacapa from Guatemala and Santa Teresa from Venezuela.

Plus, there will also be an opportunity to sample some of the rarest, most exquisite rums on the planet. UK RumFest brings together the industry’s top blenders, distillers and mixologists.

For those who want to get in the tropical fiesta spirit and understand where the shake in their Daiquiri and the kick in their Mojito comes from, a plethora of masterclasses, talks and seminars will be taking place where rum novices can learn all there is to know from industry experts.

Brand New for 2011
Tropical Food Market UK RumFest aims to celebrate not just the drink but the entire culture surrounding rum.

This year sees the launch of a Tropical Food Market - an entire area devoted to presenting the finest delicacies and cuisine the tropics has to offer.

Highly acclaimed rum chef Paul Yellin, who has travelled the Caribbean discovering how to create unique dishes using rum, will be demonstrating and giving seminars on how to use rum in cooking.

Paul will also be searching for the Rum Experience Chef of the Year. Budding rum chefs will be asked to devise a 2-3 course menu using rum and the winner will be whisked off on an all expenses paid trip to Barbados to attend the Taste Festival in November.

Let's get ready to Rum-ble
To keep the party spirit alive over the weekend, live music bands will be playing out their reggae rhythms accompanied by salsa, samba and zouk dancers.

For those who want a little bit of relaxation, head to the Bacardi Dominoes and Daiquiri Zone and try one of the tropics’ most relaxing pastimes while sipping on a cool Daiquiri.

Cocktails and Dreams
Think Tom Cruise, 80s films and amazing cocktails. This year's UK RumFest is hosting the world's first Tiki Bar Tender of the Year sponsored by Don Q Rum competition. The award aims to celebrate the best in the business and those who can whip up a Marama Rum Punch or create a mean Mai-Tai will be put through a round of challenges.

Visitors can watch the industries top Tiki bartenders compete in a speed and guess the rum round, before the winner is chosen and taken on the trip of a lifetime.

Not only will the winner be jetted off to Hollywood but they will also get a walk-on part in a blockbuster film.

The tropical lifestyle is one which should be shared with as many people as possible and we are extremely proud to hold an event which brings this culture to London. The weekend has a carnival feel to it as hundreds celebrate rum and the lifestyle that comes with it including exotic foods, salsa and zouk dancing and live music.

Ian Burrell, UK Rum Ambassador and UK RumFest founder.