It’s just like CLEO’s very own Bachelor of the Year competition – except instead of being single, mixing up a delicious cocktail is the main requirement.
Nine of Australia’s top bartenders competed for the chance to make it to the national final at the Bartender of the Year semi-finals on Sydney harbour on Sunday.
Held aboard the Sydney Glass Island, industry experts and members of the public were invited to taste three creations by three talented mixologists in three different categories: Gentlemen’s Cocktail, Seasonal Cocktail, and Punch.
The Cocktail enthusiasts (who isn’t?) were then asked to vote for the best drink in each category.
Fred Siggins from Kodiak Club in Melbourne produced the best Seasonal Cocktail, Perryn Collier from The Laneway in Brisbane won the Punch category and Phil Gandevia (pictured above) from Eau de Vie in Sydney took out the title for the best Gentleman’s Cocktail.
Each of these three summer cocktail experts will now fight for the title of Australia’s best bartender and also have the chance to represent the country in the esteemed World Class global final.
The next round of the World Class competition is the winter round, with the semi-final event taking place in Melbourne on Sunday 20th May.