Darroze Mixology Bartender Competition: meet the contestants

The Darroze Mixology Competition is now underway, with 26 candidates set to compete in selection rounds in December in Toulouse, Bordeaux and Biarritz. Their goal? To promote Armagnac in cocktails.

Don’t wait any longer to discover the list of 26 candidates:

Toulouse selection • 1^st december

• Adrien Cavaillé, head bartender at Loup Blanc in Toulouse.
• Clément Cujus, co-gérant à Coco Cocktails in Toulouse.
• Antoine Dos Reis, bartender at l’Arrosoir in Toulouse.
• Valentin Peres, bar manager at Kodomo in Toulouse.
• Sophie Pedrini, bartender at Il Popolo in Labège.
• Aelis Belloc-Billard, bartender at New Delhi Palace in Toulouse.
• Jacopo Dardo, manager of Tout Rouge in Toulouse.

Épreuve de Bordeaux • le 8 décembre

• Chavie Dawson, bartender at Fernande in Arcachon.
• Naïma Sauvé, bartender at l’Hôtel la Zoologie in Bordeaux.
• Quentin Monnier, assistant head bartender at Madame Pang in Bordeaux.
• Gwennaëlle Le Cam, bartender at Mama Shelter in Bordeaux.
• Michel Bayle, bar manager at Code 23 in Bordeaux.
• Swann Nivet, bartender at la Buvette des Quais in Bordeaux.
• Paulin Dimulle, bartender at CASA Grand Hôtel français in Bordeaux.
• Vahé M’Radamy, bar manager at Adiu in Bordeaux.
• Cloé Izard, co-founder and manager at AMA in Bordeaux.
• Alexis Randon, bartender at Point Rouge in Bordeaux.

Épreuve de Biarritz • le 15 décembre

• Nicolas Bonnet, bartender at French Pub Chez Nous in Dax.
• Corentin Cantamessa, bartender at Splendid in Dax.
• Laurene Resclause, bartender at Monsieur Mouette in Hossegor.
• Carl Rabelle, bartender at l’Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz.
• Cédric Escaffre, bartender at Bistroquet – Chez BB in Biarritz.
• Alexis Rivière, bar manager at l’Oeno Bar in Pau.
• Mathieu Lahon, bartender at Bistro Le Tucq in Gan.
• Pierre Brebion, bar manager at Talaia in Biarritz.

Each candidate will be required to create two cocktails using our Armagnacs from the Mixology range: Blanche and VS. Follow the competition on our social media channels throughout December. The six finalists will compete in early 2026 for the final.

The prize is an exceptional trip to London for two people, including a meal at the 3-star restaurant Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and a meeting with Agostino Perrone, elected ‘world’s best barman’ several times!

Would you like to find out more about our Mixology range dedicated to the world of cocktails? Click on this link.