A toast to the perfect host

Thirteen of the country’s top bartenders gathered at The Victoria Room in Sydney last night (October 23) to compete in the Australian final of the Beefeater 24 Perfect Host Bartender Competition.

Competitors had six minutes to present an original cocktail made using Beefeater 24 and at least one tea, as well as showcase what they believe makes a good host through their presentation.

Greg Sanderson from EDV Melbourne (pictured right) took out the top place and will be flying to London to compete in the global finals on November 27 and 28.

The winner of the global finals will be rewarded with an all expenses paid trip to Japan to visit bars and a working tea plantation.

In second place was Perryn Collier from The Laneway and third spot went to Krystal Hart from Canvas, both from Brisbane.

Also competing on the night were Doug Gilmore (Salon), Anthony Cashman (Press Club), Samuel Ng (Black Pearl), Cian Stafford (The Loft), Nick Selvadurai (Cookie), James Irvine (Hinky Dinks), Doug Beatty (The Loft), Thomas Iacovone (Palmer & Co), Tim Laferla (Mechanics Institute) and Daniel Segura (Nobu).

Judges for the final were Pernod Ricard national spirits advisor Ben Davidson, Havana Club brand ambassador Karel ‘Papi’ Reyes, and Beefeater global ambassador Tim Stones (pictured left).

Source: The Shout, 24 October 2012