By Rebecca Harris
After 12 months of extensive searching the seven finalists in the inaugural ‘Magnificent Seven’ bartending competition hosted by CCA’s bar training program, Mixxit, have been announced.
South Australia’s Erica Richards and Christian Blair will join Queensland’s Anita Strother and Nick Edwards; Victoria’s Edward Murphy and Richie Brenton; and NSW’s Luke Redington at the final in May.
The competition required bartenders to attend Mixxit’s four ‘seasonally-focused’ training sessions and demonstrate a superior level of knowledge and understanding for the bartending craft.
The finalists will now compete at a final ‘shoot-out’ at Sydney’s Ivy bar on World Cocktail Day, May 13.
The winner will earn a trip to New York City to attend the prestigious BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource) course, before going on to work in some of the Big Apple’s top bars.
“Since developing the idea back in 2008, it has proven to be one of the most rewarding experiences the Mixxit team has had,” said Mixxit team training manager Jason Crawley.
“We simply cannot wait for the shoot-out final on World Cocktail Day. It is going to be one hell of a party.”
The Mixxit training team also includes Dylan Howarth and Ollie Stuart.