The Perfect Blend is back for 2024 with 139 finalists competing across six Regional Finals in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2024 the competition welcomed a few changes, including adding new brands into the portfolio, a new cocktail brief, and a new extradionary prize.
It’s the perfect blend (pun intended) of celebrating and supporting the bartending community.
This year’s Regional Final hosts bartenders at each event for two days. With the usual competition format of Blind Tasting, Product Knowledge Test and the Cocktail Presentation, each bartender is also treated to brand immersive experiences to help develop industry skills and bartending knowledge. The finalists also have the opportunity to let their hair down a little, meet the other bartenders from their state, and a bit of downtime away from the demands of work!
In September 2023, The Perfect Blend requested bartenders to submit a cocktail that was “TRADITION or PERSONALITY”. The competition received just shy of 500 entries across Australia and New Zealand.
Western Australia was the second of the six Regional Finals, and it took place on March 11th and 12th.
Finalists began the competition days with the Beam Suntory Blind Tasting and Product Knowledge Test at the QT Perth. The competitors then engaged in a Japanese Kokedama Workshop, creating their own string garden feature using seasonal flora to brighten up their bars, and enjoyed an exclusive Suntory 100-year prestigious whisky tasting with Brendan Grey.
To close off the day, finalists could relax and enjoy some downtime with one another, with a delicious spread to match the Beam Suntory cocktails at Varnish on King.
Cocktail Presentation Day was hosted at The Beaufort. The 14 finalists each had six minutes to present their signature creation in front of a panel of three judges: Brendan Gray, James Pennefather, and Jaaidev Vvidyadharan.
Previous to competition day, finalists promoted their cocktails within their respective venues for two weeks to celebrate World Bartender Day. Points toward their final scores were awarded on their approach to this component of this competition.
The Perfect Blend 2024 WA Regional winners are:
WA APPRENTICE CATEGORY
JAC LANDMARK
WA PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY
MAX GIUDICE
_______
After the presentations had concluded, the evening festivities could begin. At The Heritage Bar, in the PDR, finalists were treated to a Jim Beam Welcome dinner, where the winners were announced.
Jac Landmark was awarded WINNER of APPRENTICE category, and Max Giudice the WINNER of PROFESSIONAL Category. Max is back for another shot at the title after winning the Apprentice Category Grand Final in 2019!
Max joined us in Bali for The Perfect Blend Grand Final, then travelled to New York, Bar Convent Brooklyn as well as visiting Kentucky, where he experienced a VIP Experience at Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam distillery. We are excited to welcome him back!
Jac Landmark and Max Giudice will now proceed to the Grand Final held in Queenstown, with the 8 other state finalist winners yet to be announced.
Keep watching as the next four states unfold!
_______
Keep up to date with all the regional finals and follow us on Instagram.
Sign up today (It’s FREE!) on www.theblend.world.