It’s finally back! It only took two years. With thanks to our friends at Hendrick’s & Monkey Shoulder, the Australian Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year is back. So why should you enter this comp? Well, it’s a coup to be the Bartender of the Year, but also this comp is a straightforward challenge of your bartending knowledge and skill. It happens over just two days and is open to all Australian bartenders who can make their way to Sydney during Sydney Bar Week (3-7 September 2022).
In terms of the comp itself, Jono Carr on board to help facilitate the competition. He is busy doing a fair bit of writing for us as well as running his very own bar, About Time. He also just started weekly industry training sessions at About Time called Booze and Banter, so head to @boozeandbanter on insta to find out more. Jono is also a former-runner up in this competition, so has a fair chunk of experience.
You can NOMINATE your favourite bartender or REGISTER YOURSELF simply by emailing amy@spantonmedia.com before the 31st July. The email & phone number of the proposed competitor is all that’s needed.
How does the comp work? The Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year Comp is part of Sydney Bar Week. The comp happens in three parts:
Monday 5th May
Round 1 — The Exam
Worth 30% of overall mark
Location: Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern, Basement Level 60 Park Street, Sydney. Date: Monday 20 September
Time: 10.15am for 10.30am start
Monday 5th May
Round 2 — The Top 8 round
Worth 30% of overall mark
Location: Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern from 2pm (approx.)
Part one of Round 2 is the blind tasting round.
Part two of Round 2 consists of the mystery box bartending challenge.
The Top 3 will be announced online at australianbartender.com.au and on social media that evening.
The FINALS:
The Top 3 will compete live on stage at the Bar Awards on Wednesday, 7th September at Doltone House, Pyrmont.
The PRIZE:
The winner will be crowned Australian Bartender Magazine Bartender of the Year, receive $1000 cash prize from Bartender magazine and $1000 night out in their home city hosted by the William Grant & Sons BAs and a bottle of Monkey Shoulder & Hendrick’s
*All of the Top 8 will receive a bottle of Monkey Shoulder & Hendrick’s
So get yourself in the swing of things and have a crack at this quiz!