By Stefanie Collins, editor b&c
Diageo has unveiled its list of the Top 25 finalists for the Australian branch of the World Class bartending competition.
The tough competition saw 75 bartenders eliminated from the previous list of 100 entrants, with the final 25 set to be put through a rigorous list of challenges by the judging panel.
The bartender who comes out on top in Melbourne will represent Australia at the international final in Miami.
The Top 25 Finalists shows some interesting results, with Brisbane bartenders making up seven of the 25 places, a lesson in how the bar scene in Queensland is continuing to expand. Additionally five members of the Black Pearl team made it, the most from a single venue.
Previous winners of the Australian branch of the competition, Charlie Ainsbury and Jack Sotti, also both made it through to the final 25, with each hoping to have another crack at bringing home the global crown.
The Grand Final is to be held in Melbourne in April, with the Global Final being decided in Miami later in the year.
The full list below is care of the World Class Australia Facebook page.