By Stefanie Collins, editor b&c
Melbourne bartender Pita Dixon, from Joe Taylor, has made it to the top 10 in the Cherry Heering Classic Challenge. As part of the final 10, he will be flown to London Cocktail Week to compete for the grand prize in October.
James France, of Vanguard Luxury Spirits, which brings Cherry Heering into Australia, was delighted that an Australian had made it to the top 10.
“In all, bartenders from 46 countries were shortlisted for this prize, so it’s fantastic news that Australia has someone going to London to compete for the big one,” he says.
The 2016 Peter F. Heering Classic Challenge top 10 semi-finalists will compete live in London, shaking up their Cherry Heering modern classic cocktail for an international juding panel that includes Simon Difford and David Wondrich. The semi-finalists will then choose five finalists to present again on 6 October at Joyeux Bordel, London, where the winner will be decided.
The 2016 Peter F. Heering Classic Challenge winner receives €500, a Stelton Shaker and the accompanying global media exposure.
All 10 semi-finalists will be part of the Global Heering Legend program filmed by bar legend Simon Difford.
The top 10 are:
- AUSTRALIA – Pita Dixon from Joe Taylor, Melbourne – "The Right Way"
- CANADA – Andrew Schneider from Vij’s Restaurant, Vancouver – "Mount Pleasant"
- GREECE – Akis Kalogritsas from Cadillac Records Cocktail Bar, Karditsa – "Rubik´s Cube"
- HONG KONG – Lui Hiu Na from The American Club, Hong Kong – "Dancing Queen"
- LUXEMBOURG – Dawid Guzik from Octan´s Spirited Bar, Luxembourg – "Secret Clover"
- NZ – Laura Walker from Hawthorn Lounge, Wellington – "Blood From A Stone"
- SINGAPORE – Adriel Ang from Sarnies, Singapore – "Cherry-Let"
- SWEDEN – Carl Wiman from YUC Mexican, Stockholm – "Heering is Keering"
- UK – Grant Murray from Scotch and Rye, Inverness – "Brace Position"
- USA – Michael Riojas from Armadillo Palace, Houston – "Cherry Bomb"
You can see Dixon's winning entry here: