Diageo has announced the top 100 Australian bartenders who will vie for the national title of Australian World Class champion, with the global competition happening in Sydney for the first time later this year.
The shortlisted bartenders will take inspiration from aperitivo hour and deli culture as they participate in ‘The Singleton Deli Plus Two’ challenge, to create a cocktail using The Singleton single malt Scotch whisky, plus a maximum of two additional components.
Australia’s winner will then represent the nation at the World Class Global Final in Sydney from September 12 to 15 as part of the inaugural World Class Cocktail Festival, which will celebrate the best of Sydney’s cocktail culture.
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Last year’s Australian World Class champion, Evan Stroeve of Sydney bar Re, said the competition is a “potentially life-changing opportunity” for entrants.
“[It] demands that you think creatively about flavours, process and technique.
“It’s an opportunity to bring an idea to life, and showcase not only your skills but the personality behind it.”
Australia’s Diageo World Class Ambassador, Krystal Hart, said the standard of competition continues to rise year-on-year.
“As we enter the competition’s second phase, we’re looking for the top five bartenders to stand out by demonstrating imaginative and show-stopping creations,” she said.
“Our work is cut out for us as the calibre has been so impressive.”
The 2022 competition will celebrate Diageo’s portfolio of reserve brands with its whiskies – Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Black Label, The Singleton and Talisker – taking centre stage.
Australia’s top five will be announced on June 13, before the finals are held in July to determine the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year for 2022.
Visit Diageo Bar Academy for further information.
Diageo World Class Top 100 Bartenders for 2022
New South Wales
Alex Gondzioulis, The Rover
Behzad Vaziri, The Star
Elisa Rodgrigues, Paloma Wine Bar
Hunter Gregory, Maybe Sammy
Matthew Dale, RE
Ryan Bickley, Cantina OK
Siôn Roberts, RE
Storm Evans, Cantina OK
Sanghyun Park, Will’s
Wen Wang, Maybe Sammy
Albert Rust, Eileen’s Bar – Four Pillars
Andrew McCorquodale, Charlie Parker’s
Beaux Donelan, Charlie Parker’s
Ashley Miller, Blue Kahunas
Ben Hardy, Bar Planet
Brianna Aboud, Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern
Chloe Natterer, The Lobo
Claudio Bedini, Sammy Junior
Daniel Hilton, The Lobo
Eduardo Conde, NO 92 GPR
Dominic Causley-Todd, Dead Ringer
Emma Bernardi, Bar Planet
Eoin Kenny, Long Chim
Hamish Mitchell, Charlie Parker’s
Harrison Kenney, Bar Planet
Helen Yu, The Lobo
James Russell, Apollonia
Jenna Hemsworth, The Gidley
Koby Harris, Dean and Nancy on 22
Krisztian Csigo, Dean and Nancy on 22
Sara Rinaldo, Dean and Nancy on 22
Sarah Proietti, Maybe Sammy
Judith Zhu, KittyHawk
Kalisha Glover, Apollonia
Kat Scibiorski, Long Chim
Kate Gale-Re, The Gidley
Michal Wowak, The Gidley
Kiaran Bryant, Earl’s Juke Joint
Liam Gavin, Door Knock
Marco Rosati, Grain Bar
Samuel McWilliams, The Lobo
Thomas Opie, Births and Deaths
Queensland
Dino Francia, Rosella’s Bar
Jack Connor, Rosella’s Bar
Aidan Perkins, Agnes Restaurant
Daniella Darakis, The Gresham
Edward Quartermass, Maker
Ellery Low, Maker
Jamie Fleming, Alba Bar & Deli
Jenny Wang, Sono Japanese Restaurant
Joe Steadman, Alba Bar & Deli
Kate Bartlett, Cobbler Bar
Liam Murphy, Frogs Hollow Saloon
Liam Shepherd, Bar Brutus
Martin McConnell, Frogs Hollow Saloon
Peter Hollands, Frogs Hollow Saloon
Tasmania
Rachel Mynczywor, Rude Boy
Rohan Massie, Rude Boy Hobart
Jack Turner, Void Bar at Mona
Mateo Ortiz, The Den Salamanca
Western Australia
Dyllan Balm, Foxtrot Unicorn
Max Guidice, Republic of Fremantle
Nicola Herbert, Foxtrot Unicorn
Shirley Yeung, Foxtrot Unicorn
Samuel Cocks, Bar Rogue
South Australia
Al Simmons, Maybe Mae
Alfonso Lizana, Maybe Mae
Anabel Rowe, Long Story Short
Georgia Edmonds, Maybe Mae
Grace Rawlins, Memphis Slim’s House of Blues
Jack Somers, Memphis Slim’s House of Blues
Talis Heggart, Memphis Slim’s House of Blues
Michael Keogh, Memphis Slim’s House of Blues
Lachlan Gunner, Long Story Short
Oscar Butler, Maybe Mae
Victoria
Aiden Rodriquez, EDV Melbourne
Alejandro Archibald, NOMAD Melbourne
Kane Smith, Nick and Nora’s Melbourne
Darren Leaney, Aru
Cameron Parish, Gimlet
Elisabetta Luppi, LUI Bar
Francesca Camilli, Beneath Driver’s Lane
James Armstrong, The Cloakroom Bar
Josephe Kourmouzis, Above Board
Julien Wurtlin, LUI Bar
Kayla Saito, Black Pearl
Nicola Dean, Black Pearl
Max Allison, Good Measure
Miriam Wahlhütter, LOVER
Nick Tesar, Bar Liberty
Olivia Devlin, Capitano
Tioni Naslund, LUI Bar
Taylor Matthews, Frederic
Tom McHugh, Hazel Restaurant
Northern Territory
Anneliese Grazioli, Hanky Panky Lounge
Katerina Kosta, Hanky Panky Lounge
Matt Zarimis, Smoke and Oak Darwin
ACT
Cameron Abercrombie, Zaab Street Food
Jack Sandeman, Zaab Street Food
Liv Kelly, Bar Rochford
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