By Rebecca Harris
The winner of Mixxit’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ cocktail competition was unveiled last night (May 13) in a star-studded event at Sydney’s ivy bar.
After an intensive twelve-month search, seven bartenders from across Australia were selected to compete in the final, timed to coincide with World Cocktail Day.
The final included challenges such as blind-tasting spirits, as well as creating a signature cocktail to present to the crowd.
The Magnificent Seven Competition winner Luke Redington
The judges said they were impressed with the high-calibre of drinks and knowledge from all contestants, but in the end it was Eau de Vie’s Luke Redington who triumphed, beating Nick Edwards (The Lark, Brisbane), Mary-Anne Macafee (Ivy, Sydney), Edward Murphy (Baden Powell, Melbourne), Erica Richards, (Crown & Sceptre, Adelaide), Richie Brenton (Charlie's Bar, Melbourne) and Christian Blair (Crown & Sceptre, Adelaide).
“It was an event-filled day that tested all of us over a number of different tasks,” said Redington.
“To be able to win and go to New York City after a day like that was very rewarding. The crowd at ivy was awesome and it’s good to see regular punters getting into the World Cocktail Day experience.”
Redington will now fly to New York to attend the leading five-day BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource), run by industry greats Dave Wondrich, Dale DeGroff and F. Paul Pacult. Redington will then be given the opportunity to work in some of New York’s leading bars.