Kate Bartlett from West End’s Cobbler Bar is amongst the finalists for the Top 100 Bartenders for 2022. From May 30 to 13 June, Australia’s best bartenders will be serving their world-class creations at top venues around the country.
As Australia’s cocktail culture continues to boom, Diageo World Class, the globally renowned bartending competition, has announced its top 100 Australian Bartenders for 2022, and, in turn, the best local bars cultivating industry-leading talent nationwide. Following an overwhelming number of applications, this year’s Top 100 reflects the formidable talent that is being nurtured in leading bars across the country.
The competition will see the industry’s leading bartenders battle it out for the chance to be crowned the nation’s best bartender. During the next phase of the competition, candidates will continue to test their skills and push the boundaries in a series of unique challenges to capture the imaginations and votes of industry-leading judges. The show stopping cocktail creations will be available in their respective bartenders’ venues for all to try from May 30 – 13 June 2022, giving Aussies the chance to truly experience World Class drinks.
Last year’s Australian winner, Evan Stroeve of Re, Sydney’s no-waste bar recently named in The World’s 50 Best Bars, wowed the global judges with his skill, creativity and commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The Top 5 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. The winner will then go on to represent their country at the Global Final, held in Australia for the first time this September 12 to 16 in Sydney for the World Class Cocktail Festival. A vibrant celebration of Sydney’s cocktail culture, Sydneysiders can expect a week of pop-up food and drink events, immersive drinks experiences and inspiring cocktail collaborations, all championing the very best of Australia’s exciting and diverse local bar scene as it reignites after a challenging few years.
The other Queensland finalists are:
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
Liam Murphy, Frogs Hollow Saloon
Liam Shepherd, Bar Brutus
Martin McConnell, Frogs Hollow Saloon
Peter Hollands, Frogs Hollow Saloon
