The professional journey of Rub\u00e9n Zayas, head bartender and manager of the Terrassa at Hotel Ultonia, is a clear example of how the combination of talent, dedication and opportunity can lead to outstanding results. After being named Runner-up at the Spanish Sparkling Cocktail Championship 2025, he has earned recognition that projects both Girona and the Catalan cocktail scene onto the national and international stage.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This successful journey began when, for the fi rst time, the Catalan Cocktail Championship was held outside Barcelona, specifi cally in Girona. Driven by Mariona Vilanova (Nykteri\u2019s), the 2023 edition took place at Hotels Ultonia Girona, where a young local talent delivered a remarkable surprise by winning the championship, thus opening the door to national competition.<\/p>\n
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”80″ flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”From Girona to the National Stage” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1766076017758{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766076152373{padding-top: 40px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n
Qualifying at the Catalan championship enabled Rub\u00e9n Zayas to compete in the Spanish Sparkling Cocktail Championship 2025, held in Mallorca and organised by the Federation of Bartenders\u2019 Associations of Spain (FABE). Following a highly demanding process \u2014 including theoretical exams, tastings, language assessments and technical challenges \u2014 Zayas secured second place at national level.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
His next challenge will be to represent Spain at the Pan-American Cocktail Competition in Aruba next year. Although Sparkling is not his preferred category, the Girona-based bartender chose to specialise in it as a strategic move to achieve his professional goals, demonstrating a clear commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”80″ flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”The Beny Cocktail: Identity, Territory and Storytelling” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1766076174951{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][image_with_animation image_url=”10835″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” margin_top=”80″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766076250791{padding-top: 40px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n
The proposal that captivated the jury was the Beny cocktail, a creation that brings together key values such as identity, roots and professional heritage. The name refers to the family-run restaurant in Sant Antoni de Calonge, operating for over forty years, and stands as a tribute to origin and legacy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Beny is a cocktail with a strong local identity, crafted with Girona apples, apple pur\u00e9e, ginger, cinnamon, a touch of clove and mezcal, fi nished with Codorn\u00edu cava. The garnish, created using Isomalt, reinforces the visual and conceptual narrative, turning the cocktail into a complete experience, both sensorial and storytelling-driven.<\/p>\n
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”80″ flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Innovation, Experience and Cocktail Culture” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1766076340166{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766076373883{padding-top: 40px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n
Qualifying at the Catalan championship enabled Rub\u00e9n Zayas to compete in the Spanish Sparkling Cocktail Championship 2025, held in Mallorca and organised by the Federation of Bartenders\u2019 Associations of Spain (FABE). Following a highly demanding process \u2014 including theoretical exams, tastings, language assessments and technical challenges \u2014 Zayas secured second place at national level.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
His next challenge will be to represent Spain at the Pan-American Cocktail Competition in Aruba next year. Although Sparkling is not his preferred category, the Girona-based bartender chose to specialise in it as a strategic move to achieve his professional goals, demonstrating a clear commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n
\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin=”80″ flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”Looking Ahead” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1766076400614{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766076450437{padding-top: 40px !important;}” text_direction=”default”]\n