By Andy Young
After a campaign and competition running over the last few months the winner of the Australian leg of the Monin Cup has been announced.
The final saw seven competitors, from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, go head-to-head, to win the chance to represent Australia at the Asia-Pacific final of the competition.
This year's finalists were:
- Rachael Hand, Goldilocks – Melbourne
- Andy Watson Calderon – O Bar – Sydney
- Matthias Aso, Pelicano Bar – Sydney
- Hannah Bolt – Statler & Waldorf – Brisbane
- Rohan Fisher – Polly – Melbourne
- Dim Rtshiladze – Mechanic Institute – Perth
- Chris Pettitt – Gantry Bar- Sydney
The final was judged by Monin marketing and beverage innovation manager Tomas Vikario, as well as industry experts Manuel Terron, Petr Dvoracek and Sam Bygrave.
After extensive competition, the winner was announced as Matthias Aso (pictured) from Pelicano Bar in Sydney for his Baker's Secret drink, which was made using the Monin salted caramel syrup.
The win sees Aso head to the Asia Pacific final in Kuala Lumpur to compete against the best bartenders from the region. If he’s successful there, then Aso will head to Paris and take on the world’s best at the global Monin Cup final.
The top three bartenders from the KL semi-finals will represent Asia Pacific in the global final that will be held at the Top of the Eiffel tower.