The Australian state finalists for the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge have been selected, with eight bartenders in each region set to fight it out for a spot in the national final.
According to Britt Page, island2island Brand Manager, the cocktail challenge is one of the most strongly contested competitions in Australia with many well-known bartenders entering for their chance to compete in the global final.
“This year we are defending the global title, so we are looking for the very best to send to Trinidad,” she says. “We are looking for creativity, an excellent knowledge of balancing flavours, professionalism and presentation.”
As well as travelling to the Caribbean, the winner of the Australian national final will pocket $10,000 cash and the position of Angostura Australian Brand Ambassador for 12 months. At the global final, they stand to win an additional US$10,000 and the position of Angostura Global Brand Ambassador.
The latter job if currently filled by last year’s winner and Australian bartender Mike Tomasic (pictured above).
The heats will run in each state throughout July and August, with the eight finalists culled to one who will travel to Sydney to compete on 31 August.
WA FINAL – The Dominion League, 27 July
James Connolly – Angels Cut by Trustee
James Pennefather – Bobeche
Joe Sinagra – Bobeche
Lachlan Robinson – Angels Cut by Trustee
Matt Scales – Trustee
Matthew Biggs – Bobeche
Seb Terkildsen – Lot Twenty
Tom Kearny – Mechanic’s Institute
SA/NT FINAL – Casablabla, 28 July
Cian McNamara – Fumo Blu
Chad Hanson – Sean’s Kitchen
Edward Alder – Loft Wine Bar
Elle Kearns – The Pearl Darwin
Kat Hartley – Hains & Co
Nick Corletto – Hains & Co
Thomas Egan – Fumo Blu
Roman Tazhdynov – The Bibliotheca Bar
NSW/ACT FINAL – The Cliff Dive, 3 August
Andrew Ratcliff – Eau De Vie
Bobby Carey – Earl’s Juke Joint
Elliott Bell – Three Chimneys
Igor Pachi – Assembly Bar
Jake Down – Pocket Bar
Jimmy Irvine – The Baxter Inn
Noriel Calub – AKIBA
Sam Barnett – Hinky Dinks
VIC FINAL – Transit Rooftop Bar, 10 August
Benjamin Harris – Kodiak Club
Daniel Blake – Ms Collins
Emma Borelli – New Gold Mountain
Harley Whittingham – Nobu Melbourne
Misty Hoeta – The George Republic
Nick Selvadurai – Cookie
Paul Ramsay – Dutchess
Sarah Watson – Cookie
QLD FINAL – Elixir Rooftop Bar, 17 August
Aaron Clark – Blackbird
Alex Boon – Jahh Tiger
James Hughes – The Bowery
Lauren Andreassen – Lychee Lounge
Lonneke Bevan – Elixir Rooftop Bar
Matthew O’Sullivan – Press Club
Peter Hollands – The Gresham
Rinna Kato – Blackbird