Check out the highlight video from the Rising Stars 2025 finale, held at The Island, Pernod Ricard HQ
Congratulations to Vinitha, our Rising Stars Champion 2025
06 October 2025
From hundreds of talented entries across EMEA, to eight inspiring finalists — Vinitha Fernandes was crowned Rising Stars Champion 2025 at the live finale in Paris.
Our Finalists this year were:
Francisco González (Oroya, The Madrid EDITION)
Paolo Baffigi (Renaissance Amsterdam)
Alessandra Francesca Lecis (The Rome EDITION)
Michael Rowlands (W Prague)
Lorenzo D’Agostino (W Rome)
Vinitha Fernandes (Sheraton Grand Doha)
Simone Turcarelli (Brava, The Bodrum EDITION)
Benjamin Bouvard – (Cardo Brussels, Doodles)
On Thursday 2nd October, Satya Anand, President Marriott International EMEA, announced the winner of our Rising Stars 2025
Our winner, Vinitha Fernandes, created her winning cocktail: “The Remembrall” using Monkey 47 Gin and Lillet Rosé.
Vinitha works at Jamavar, Sheraton Grand Doha, a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant known for its refined service and creative bar programme.
Vinitha’s Cocktail Inspiration
“The Remembrall” is inspired by the early days of Vinitha’s bartending career.
During long, busy shifts, her quick comfort between tasks was a simple mix of watermelon, sugar and lemon — something she and her colleagues fondly called “watermelon sugar.”
To relive that memory, she created a cocktail that transforms this small moment of joy into a refined and balanced serve. The drink combines Monkey 47 Gin, watermelon cordial infused with rosemary, Lillet Rosé, and lime acid, stirred over ice and served in a Nick & Nora glass. A caramelized watermelon garnish with rosemary adds a warm, aromatic finish.
Using leftover watermelon from the kitchen, The Remembrall celebrates sustainability and creativity — turning a humble everyday ingredient into an elegant expression of flavour and emotion.
PepsiCo ‘MVB’ – Most Valuable Bartender 2025
Michael Rowlands – W Lounge, W Prague (Czech Republic)
Jing Tea Sustainability Excellence 2025
Simone Turcarelli – Brava, The Bodrum EDITION (Türkiye)
About Rising Stars
Developed in partnership between Marriott International EMEA and Pernod Ricard, Rising Stars celebrates the next generation of hospitality talent through a programme that goes beyond beverage.
The initiative combines online learning with a week of hands-on workshops in Bordeaux and Paris, exploring sustainability, innovation, and mixology with the support of PepsiCo, Jing Tea, and Código 1530 Tequila.
Congratulations to all our finalists and winners for embodying the spirit of Rising Stars 2025.
Discover more stories and register for next year’s competition at https://www.join-sip.com/en/risingstarsemea-access
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