About St. Andrew's Black Tie Ball 2024
On 30 November 2024, the Sofia Balkan Palace welcomed guests to the St. Andrew’s Black Tie Ball, an extraordinary celebration of Scotland’s National Day. The evening featured an exquisite gala dinner, a premium whisky tasting, and captivating performances by traditional Scottish bagpipers. The dance floor came alive with spirited Scottish dancing, adding to the authentic atmosphere of the night.
The event was further elevated by the masterful cocktails of renowned bartenders, who delighted guests with exclusive creations. In keeping with the ball’s tradition of supporting meaningful causes, this year’s charitable initiative was in partnership with the Stoyan Kambarev Foundation, which is dedicated to encouraging and supporting young artists in the fields of arts, music, and film.
The St. Andrew’s Black Tie Ball 2024 was a night to remember, offering an elegant blend of Scottish heritage, fine dining, and philanthropy.
About our sponsors
About our host & chef
The charismatic Alexander Taralezhkov was our exceptional host and the inspiration behind the delectable dishes at the dinner. He is a creative director by training and a global citizen at heart. His imagination fuels his endless culinary adventures, drawing inspiration from everything around him. His philosophy is based on the freedom of the creative process, often found where human culture meets untouched nature. Born in Bulgaria, he has spent the past two decades living in Margate, UK, working on culinary and design projects across the globe.
About our exceptional bartenders
Svetoslav Chochev has worked in prestigious bars and restaurants across London such as Aqua Shard and
GÔNG Bar at the Shangri-la the Shard. He has participated in some of the biggest bartending competitions
and qualified as a runner-up finalist for Back to the Roots 2019 and was also one of the UK finalists for
Beluga Signature 2020 cocktail competition and most recently has been chosen as a finalist for the Best
Mixologist Award 2024 by Bar Magazine UKCurrently, he is the Diageo Brand Ambassador for Bulgaria.
Pavel Pamukchiev has been working as a bartender for over 15 years. In 2018 he had the great opportunity
to win the local final of the most prestigious competition for bartenders and to represent Bulgaria at the
global finals, where he ranked our country in the top 20 best in the whole world. A year earlier in 2017 he
combined the two things he likes to do the most – traveling and making cocktails and founded the first ever
caravan cocktail bar „Travel Cocktails“. Over the past 5 years, it has had successful partnerships with brands
such as Bulleit Bourbon, Johnnie Walker, Hennessy and serves dozens of festivals throughout Bulgaria,
mixing signature cocktails prepared with high-quality alcohol and seasonal ingredients.
About the tasting
Guests had the chance to taste three exquisite whiskies by The Singleton. To spark their interest, the event began with The Singleton 15 Y.O., while the next two whiskies were a delightful surprise for the guests. The Singleton boasted a refined, smooth flavour that perfectly complemented each dish. More about that whisky here.
About our special guest performers
About the cause
In 2024, we were excited to announce our collaboration with the Stoyan Kambarev Foundation. Their mission is to encourage and support young artists in the arts, music, and film industries by annually awarding a prize that has established itself as the most anticipated and prestigious award of its kind in Bulgaria. They provide financial, professional, and moral support to help artists accomplish their work by producing and popularising their projects. The uniqueness of the award lies in the fact that it is not strictly linked to a particular art form but covers a wide selection of talented young artists across different fields. You can learn more about the Foundation here.