ENDÉMICO NATIONAL COCKTAIL COMPETITION AND WFA GRAND SLAM, SOUTHERN WORLD CUP

Over the course of five days, Concepción brought together bartenders, experts, brands, and national and international representatives to focus on training, innovation, and competitions in the bar industry. The inclusion of the WFA Grand Slam in the World Flair Association’s official global circuit marked a new milestone in the event’s history, strengthening Chile’s and Latin America’s profile on the international stage.

From October 14 to 18, 2026, Concepción hosted a new edition of ENDÉMICO, an event organized and held annually by the National Cocktail Institute (INC), which brought together professionals, competitors, experts, brands, and institutions linked to the bar and cocktail industry.

ENDÉMICO 2026 brought together three major events: the International Mixology and Flair Convention, the National Cocktail Competition, and the WFA Grand Slam. Its program combined specialized training, knowledge sharing, professional experiences, and national and international competitions, establishing a gathering place for the development of bar culture.

The 2026 edition held special significance as it marked the inclusion of the WFA Grand Slam in the World Flair Association’s (WFA) official global circuit. This recognition adds Concepción to the international calendar of flair bartending competitions, a discipline that combines cocktail preparation with acrobatics, bottle manipulation, and the use of bar tools. In addition, the results of this competition award points toward the organization’s official world ranking, expanding opportunities for participants to gain exposure and positioning Chile as the host of an event of international significance.

A Platform for Professional Development and Exchange

The activities began on Wednesday, October 14, with the opening of the International Mixology and Flair Convention, an event focused on professional development, innovation, and the exchange of experiences among various industry stakeholders.

On October 14 and 15, the event featured talks, technical presentations, demonstrations, and opportunities for discussion with experts and brand representatives. The program covered various aspects of working in a modern bar, ranging from new solutions and ingredients to preparation techniques, consumer trends, and the development of cocktail menus.

Highlights of the presentations included talks by Camilo Solano of Grupo Innobar, who discussed innovative solutions for the modern bar; Sebastián Ortega, who explored the region’s wine identity in his talk “Biobío in the Glass: Grape Varieties and the Future”; and Bob Flair, who shared insights on flair bartending and its application in service.

The convention also featured opportunities to network with brands and professionals, as well as special activities such as the welcome party in Durango, Puerto Marina, and the Guest Bartender experience, held at Bar La Estación and Madriguera.

On Friday, October 16, the program continued with specialized workshops at the National Cocktail Institute, located in Concepción. The activities were led by three presenters: Sabrina Pereyra, who led the workshop “Sensory Construction of a Competition Cocktail.” This session provided an opportunity to delve deeper into technical knowledge and practical tools applied to mixology.

National Talent at the National Cocktail Competition

On Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, the activities moved to Concepción’s Bicentennial Park as part of the “Conce al Plato” festival, where the main competitions of ENDÉMICO 2026 took place.

The National Cocktail Competition brought together bartenders living in Chile, who participated in a competition designed to highlight their technique, creativity, innovation, and ability to create signature cocktails.

The competition consisted of several selection rounds, from the initial applications and preliminary rounds to the semifinals and finals. On Saturday, 15 semifinalists participated, showcasing their technical skills, sensory concepts, and presentation abilities. The eight highest-ranked competitors advanced to Sunday’s final, where the prize-winning spots were determined.

The podium for this year's event consisted of:

• First place: Josué Aguilera, from Talcahuano.
• Second place: Mauricio Fernández, from Valparaíso.
• Third place: Rodrigo Herrera, from Concepción.

The competition helped showcase the talent of bartenders from different cities across the country, promoting the development of the national cocktail scene and creating a platform for recognition for those who contribute to the evolution of this discipline.

WFA Grand Slam: Concepción on the World Flair Circuit

One of the major highlights of ENDÉMICO 2026 was the WFA Grand Slam, an international flair bartending competition that is part of the World Flair Association’s official world circuit.

Flair bartending combines traditional bartending skills with acrobatic movements, coordination, precision, and the manipulation of bottles and tools. It is a discipline that blends technique and performance, in which participants must demonstrate mastery of their equipment, stage presence, and the ability to execute moves under competitive conditions.

ENDÉMICO’s inclusion in the official WFA circuit represents a significant step forward for the event’s international profile. Competitors participating in these types of events can earn points toward the official world rankings, which connects Concepción to the sport’s international calendar and provides a competitive platform for athletes from different countries.

The 2026 edition brought together 21 competitors in the qualifying round, from which the finalists emerged to compete for the top spots on Sunday, October 18.

The results of the WFA Grand Slam were:

• First place: Román Zapata, Argentina.
• Second place: Kirill Rudak, Czech Republic.
• Third place: Carlos Bernal, Peru.
• Fourth place: César Anticona, Peru.
• Fifth place: Adri de Lucía, Italy.
• Sixth place: Sandro Chaura, Chile.

This competition and Román Zapata's victory established him as the world's best flair bartender, according to the World Flair Association's rankings.

Hosting this competition helped expand ENDÉMICO's international presence and strengthen the connection between the Latin American flair scene and the WFA's global circuit.

Concepción and the Biobío Region as a Platform for International Exposure

Hosting ENDÉMICO LATAM 2026 in Concepción provides an opportunity to showcase the Biobío Region’s capabilities as a host for professional gatherings and international competitions.

The city became a hub for participants, experts, and representatives from various sectors of the industry, connecting local activities with professional networks at the national and international levels. The program, organized by the National Cocktail Institute in various venues throughout the city and at Bicentennial Park, brought together training, competitions, and experiences centered on bar culture.

For the Biobío Region, these types of events represent an opportunity to strengthen its position in the fields of tourism, gastronomy, local production, and professional events. They also help forge connections between the cocktail industry and other productive sectors, such as winemaking, hospitality, and tourism services.

On a national level, ENDÉMICO helps showcase the talent of Chilean bartenders and strengthen training and professional development opportunities. Its inclusion in the WFA’s official global circuit expands this reach, connecting the country to an international competition whose results are recognized in the global flair bartending rankings.

For Latin America, the event serves as a forum for integration and exchange among professionals, cultures, and representatives from different countries, helping to strengthen the region’s presence on the global bar scene.

Organized annually by the National Cocktail Institute, ENDÉMICO continues to establish itself as a meeting place for professionals, brands, institutions, and industry leaders, helping to position Chile and Latin America within the global bar culture.

For more information, visit: www.endemicolatam.cl