2026 Rising Stars Challenge winner trophy by The Original Rum Bum on a bar with rum bottles.
THE ORIGINAL RUM BUM®

Rising Stars Challenge

A rum cocktail competition created to discover and celebrate rising bartending talent. The 2026 Rising Stars Challenge is now closed. Read about the event below.

THE 2026 RESULTS

The First Rising Stars

James Lawson of Heckfield Place was named Rising Star Champion. Anya Garrow of Gleneagles won Daiquiri Master, while Giorgio Caldesi of Caldesi took the Freestyle Cocktail Innovator title.

The finalists competed at The Braywood, Bray on 28 September 2026.

Date

Monday 28 September 2026

Time

10am–4pm

Venue

The Braywood, Maidenhead

Eligibility

Trade only | Ages 18–28

James Lawson holds the 2026 Rising Stars Challenge trophy with the event judges at The Braywood.

OVERALL WINNER & 2026 RISING STAR CHAMPION

James Lawson of Heckfield Place. The overall winner of the first Original Rum Bum® Rising Stars Challenge.

Category Winners

Anya Garrow pours rum while preparing a cocktail during the Rising Stars Challenge

Daiquiri Master

Anya Garrow - Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland

Giorgio Caldesi prepares a cocktail during the Rising Stars Challenge

Freestyle Cocktail Innovator

Giorgio Caldesi - Caldesi, London

Rum Bum founder Kevin Snook with rum cocktails
A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER

Welcome to Rising Stars

When we started the Rising Stars Challenge, I wanted young bartenders to have a chance to show what they could do. At The Braywood in Maidenhead, all finalists did us proud. They brought their own ideas to the rum cocktails and gave the judges plenty to think about.

Congratulations to James Lawson, Anya Garrow and Giorgio Caldesi on their awards. To every finalist, our judges and the team at The Braywood, thank you for making our first challenge such a good day.

Kevin “Snooky” Snook
Founder, The Original Rum Bum®

The 2026 judging panel

Salvatore Calabrese holding a cocktail

Cav. Salvatore Calabrese OMRI

The Maestro, World-renowned bartender, author and recipient of the 2026 Roku Industry Icon Award.

Ian Burrell drinking from a coconut

Ian Burrell - Head Judge

The Global Rum Ambassador, UK RumFest founder and internationally acclaimed rum educator.

Nicola Pellegrinetti behind a bar

Nicola Pellegrinetti 

Bar Manager at 74 Charlotte Street, with seven years’ experience creating cocktails across leading London venues.

Nunzio Giunta at The Woodspeen

Nunzio Giunta 

General Manager of The Woodspeen, combining his bartending roots with people-focused hospitality leadership.

A stage for emerging bartenders

The First Ever Rising Stars Challenge

Creating original rum-based cocktails.

Rising Stars was created to give young bartenders a chance to put their ideas in front of experienced people in the industry. The first final brought the best emerging talent to showcase their ideas for rum based cocktails at the wonderful Braywood in Bray.

Rising Stars finalists, award winners, judges and Kevin Snook gather at The Braywood

Rising Stars Challenge 2026

Giorgio Caldesi holds his Freestyle Cocktail Innovator certificate with the judging team
Five yellow cocktails lined up in coupe glasses at The Braywood
Five pale cocktails in coupe glasses lined up on the bar
Giorgio Caldesi prepares a cocktail during the Rising Stars Challenge
Kevin Snook applauds behind the bar at the Rising Stars Challenge
Rising Stars finalist pours a drink between glasses of ice behind the bar
seven finalist bartenders pose together beside a Rum Bum banner at The Braywood
Rising Stars Challenge winner’s trophy displayed with Rum Bum bottles at The Braywood
Rising Stars finalist garnishes a row of yellow cocktails with berries
Rising Stars finalist strains red cocktails into a row of coupe glasses
Rising Stars finalist prepares a cocktail beside a bottle of Rum Bum Gold Rum
Rising Stars finalist measures a spirit into a cocktail shaker
Rising Stars finalist pours cocktails into coupe glasses beside a Rum Bum bottle
Judges including Ian Burrell and Salvatore Calabrese make notes during the competition
Anya Garrow holds her Daiquiri Master certificate alongside Ian Burrell and Salvatore Calabrese
James Lawson strains a cocktail into a coupe glass during the Rising Stars Challenge
Rising Stars finalist measures an ingredient behind the bar at The Braywood
James Lawson holds the 2026 Rising Stars Challenge trophy with the event judges at The Braywood.
Anya Garrow holds her Daiquiri Master certificate alongside Ian Burrell and Salvatore Calabrese
Anya Garrow shakes cocktails behind the bar with five coupe glasses in front of her
Award winners Giorgio Caldesi, James Lawson and Anya Garrow with their certificates and trophy at The Braywood
Anya Garrow pours rum while preparing a cocktail during the Rising Stars Challenge
Giorgio Caldesi prepares a cocktail during the Rising Stars Challenge
World Renowned Cocktail Expert & Judge
World Renowned Cocktail Expert & Judge
“I truly enjoyed this well-run competition. Rum Bum Rum is a perfect canvas for any cocktail and delicious to drink on its own”
— Cav. Salvatore Calabrese OMRI - The Maestro
Salvatore Calabrese holding a cocktail

The prizes

Rising Stars Trophy

Receive the distinguished Rising Stars trophy, celebrating the winner’s talent, originality and achievement.

Bray Cottage Stay

Enjoy an overnight stay at beautiful Bray Cottages, with relaxed luxury in the heart of Bray.

Braywood Dining

Celebrate with dinner at The Braywood, one of Maidenhead’s most stylish dining destinations.

Italian Convention

Travel to Italy for an international bartenders’ convention and connect with the wider industry.

What a first year!

Thank you to the seven finalists who took part in our first Rising Stars Challenge. Our thanks also go to the judges and everyone at The Braywood for making the day possible.

If you missed it this year, get to know the rums behind the cocktails while we look ahead to the next challenge.

MEET OUR RUMS!