By Sacha Delfosse
The Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspirations 2012 National Final was held on Monday in Sydney to choose a bartender to represent Australia at the Global Final later this year.
Held at The Bar at the End of the Wharf, the event was the first time the competition was held in Australia. It was organised by Suntory, which invited 31 bartenders from across the country to enter. Eight were chosen for the finals in Ibiza, Spain.
Bill Bewsher (399), Trish Brew (Gin Palace), Daniele Pirotta (Envy Bar) Perryn Collier (The Laneway), Alyce Murphy (Cargo Lounge), Michael Jones (The Star), Mikey Lowe (Cohi Bar) and Max Greco (Eau-de-Vie) were given ten minutes to make two original cocktails.
For one of the cocktails, the bartenders were asked to reinterpret the Dirty Martini and showcase the Arbequina Olive botanical notes present in Gin Mare. For their other cocktail, competitors were asked to create a drink that was inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle, gastronomy, and climate.
All the competitors showed great bartending talent and crafted great drinks but The Laneway’s Perryn Collier excelled to take out the first place and earn himself a trip to Ibiza.
In second place was Gin Palace’s Trish Brew, who won herself a Gin Mare gift pack and $500 cash, with Envy’s Daniele Pirotta coming in third and taking home a Gin Mare gift pack and $200 cash.
Judging the competition were Gin Mare global ambassador Jorge Balbontin, actress Jacinta Stapleton, bars&clubs editor Sacha Delfosse and Suntory brand manager Matt Barnett.