By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
The top five finalists in the Australian leg of the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition have been announced and will now battle it out for a place in global finals in Russia next year.
The five chosen bartenders are David Nguyen-Luu from Rockpool Bar & Grill, Fred Siggins from Black Pearl, James Irvine from Hinky Dinks, Marco Nunes from Papa Jack’s and Niall Maurici from IXL Long Bar.
They were selected from a pool of 25 semi-finalists who all had their drinks judged by a travelling panel of judges, which included industry veterans Phil Bayly and Alex Beaumont, as well as Bacardí’s global brand ambassador, David Cordoba (pictured right).
“Legacy is about creating a platform for the next generation of bartenders to believe in their craft and providing them with the experience of a lifetime,” Cordoba said.
“The enthusiasm around Legacy in Australia is so exciting. Our top five wasn’t an easy choice but I’m confident that any one of them would do Australia proud at the Moscow finals.”
The next phase of the competition will see the five finalists promoting and marketing their drinks over the next three months, with the help of Bacardí and a $5,000 budget for each.
“Legacy is not just about a great drink, it’s about people believing in your drink, believing in the craftsmanship, that’s why bartenders should be promoting their drink,” Cordoba said.
“We want them to go and do whatever they want to do – if you need help we will give you help –we want them to say ‘this is my cocktail I want you to taste it’ and push it.”
The top five will gather then face off at the Australian final, to be held in Sydney on March 4 next year, where they will have to present their drinks to judges and guests. The winner will be decided on a range of factors, including their final presentation and how well they promoted their drink.