Aussie gin connoisseurs ready to battle

By Sacha Delfosse

SouthTrade International has announced the 24 bartenders that will be competing in the Australian G'Vine Gin Connoisseur Program (GCP) preliminary finals, which will be held later this month.

The 24 finalist bartenders, representing venues from across the country, will be competing for a chance to represent Australia at the global G'Vine GCP finals in Cognac, France between June 9 and 14.

Competing in the Melbourne finals will be Gorge Camora from Cloud 9 (VIC), Samuel Friend from Du Nord (VIC), Joey Tai from The Brunswick Mess Hall (VIC), Jenna Hemsworth from The Kodiak Club (VIC), Misty Hoeta from The George Basement (VIC), Sarah Fulford from Lily Blacks (VIC), Daniel Segura from Nobu (VIC), Monica Place from The Collins (SA), Kal Moore from Bacchus Bar (QLD), Perryn Collier from Alfred and Constance (QLD), Dean Sykes from Gardel's Bar (NSW) and Phoenix Naman Dave from Palmer & Co (NSW).

Competing in the Sydney finals will be Erin Shaw from Cushdy (SA), Steven Ian Hubbard from Glass Bar and Dining (QLD), Anita Strother from Mr & Mrs G (QLD), Simon Hough from Luxe Bar (WA), Nicholas Harris from The Bymeleigh (WA), Joseph Sinagra from Bobeche (WA), William Holland from Frisk Small Bar (WA), Cameron Battley and Martin MacGregor from Velluto (NSW), Quinton Seeto from Café Sydney (NSW), Fraser Pollard from The New England Hotel Brasserie (NSW) and Mike Tomasic  from The Wild Rover (NSW).

The Melbourne finals will be held on April 15 at The Trust and the Sydney finals will be held on April 17 at Bar 100. GCP mentor, Philip Duff, will be a guest judge at both finals and will also be hosting a seminar for the trade before each final.

"All trade are welcome to Philip's seminar at 1pm, but the evening ball at 7pm is capped at 120 people, so RSVP quickly for that. People just need to specify in their RSVP what and where they are attending," said Tony Lau, SouthTrade International brand manager.

To RSVP email marketing@southtradeint.com.au