Diageo World Class has announced its Top 100 Australian Bartenders for 2019, with bartenders from every state across the country well represented.
According to Diageo, the competition had an “overwhelming number of applications from trend-leading bars” this year, with the shortlist stretching from David Robinson (Snapper Rocks, Darwin) all the way south to Rohan Massie (Rude Boy, Hobart); from the east coast’s Michael Chiem (PS40, Sydney) to the west coast’s Elise Godwin (Strange Company, Fremantle), and everywhere in between.
Now in its 11th year, the World Class Bartender of the Year competition challenges bartenders across the nation to submit their cocktail creations using spirits from Diageo’s reserve portfolio; Ketel One Vodka, Tanqueray No. 10 Gin and Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky.
Entrants are encouraged to exhibit creativity, innovation and expertise as they battle it out to become the nation’s best bartender and represent Australia in the global finals held in Glasgow later this year.
Last year’s global champion Orlando Marzo (pictured above), then representing Melbourne’s acclaimed Lûmé restaurant, has spent the year travelling the world as a Diageo representative, whipping up bespoke drinks in far-flung locations and judging competitions across the globe.
“World Class encourages us bartenders from across the nation and globally to come together and push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in our craft, defying what is possible,” says Marzo.
“It has become such an important competition for me personally, and the industry, as it provides the ultimate opportunity to learn from and inspire each other.”
The next phase of the competition will challenge each of the Top 100’s ability to host and perform under pressure, while executing the winning cocktail which secured them their spot on the shortlist.
The Top 20 will then be announced 31 May 2019 before the finals are held on 7-9 July 2019 to determine the World Class top Australian bartender for 2019.
Scroll down for the full shortlist of finalists.
Diageo World Class Top 100 Australian Bartenders for 2019
New South Wales
- Alex Gondzioulis, Bulletin Place
- Alex ‘Happy’ Gilmour, Tio’s Cerveceria
- Alissa Gabriel, Mjølner
- Anna Nguyen, Door Knock
- Antonello Arzedi, Scöut
- Conor O’Brien, Burrow Bar
- Daniel Hilton, The Lobo Plantation
- David Nutting, Babylon Rooftop and Garden Bar
- Eduardo Conde, This Must be the Place
- Elouise Bliss, Eau de Vie
- Evan Stroeve, Bulletin Place
- Francesco De Matteo, Charlie Parker’s
- Giacomo Franceschi, Charlie Parker’s
- Ho Song, PS40
- Jet Hauge, Isabel
- Jonothan Carr, Bistecca
- Joshua Reynolds, Scöut
- Kate McGraw, Isabel
- Lachlan Gunner, Grandmas bar
- Michael Chiem, PS40
- Pasan Wijesena, Earls Juke Joint
- Raphael Redant, Stitch bar
- Shane Crosland, The Bolt Hole
- Stephane Creveuil, Door Knock
- Tim Laferla, Scöut
- Wai Christine Lam, Employees Only
Northern Territory
- Anneliese Grazioli, Hot Tamale
- David Robinson, Snapper Rocks
- Joey Folkersma, Chow
Queensland
- Adam Meredith, The Boom Boom Room
- Callum Sykes, Co Ca Chu
- Campbell Jones, Finney Isles
- Charlie Hunter, Cobbler
- David Weston Smith, Mariners Seafood Restaurant
- Edward Quatermass, Maker
- Ellery Low, Maker
- Elliot Pascoe, Death & Taxes
- Jack Stacey, The Gresham
- Jacob Cohen, Savile Row
- Joe Steadman, The Cloakroom Bar
- Joseph Chisholm, The Boom Boom Room
- Kayla Reid, Savile Row
- Mark Pinel, Donna Chang
- Matthew O’Malley, The Cloakroom Bar
- Nicholas Harris, Jimmy Rum’s Mixing Lounge
- Nikki Hashimoto, The Boom Boom Room
- Oliver Chia, Finney Isles
- Oliver Pearson, The Boom Boom Room
- Samuel Tripet, Death & Taxes
- Samuel Russ, Cobbler
- Savannah Williams-Piper, The Boom Boom Room
- Storm Evans, Cobbler
- Timo van Hest, Finney Isles
- Tristan Green, Alba
- William Turner, Airlie Beach Rum Bar
- Zachary Underwood-Mynott, Canvas
South Australia
- Adam Hingston, Maybe Mae
- Kayla Grigoriou, Bar Torino
- Mike Han, 2KW Bar and Restaurant
Nicholas Favaro, Bar Torino - Nicola Dean, Maybe Mae
- Oliver Brown, Anchovy Bandit
- Vanessa Rech, 2KW Bar and Restaurant
Tasmania
- Rohan Massie, Rude Boy
Victoria
- Alex Holmes, Boilermaker House
- Alex Boon, Mjølner
- Alex Brown, Union Electric Bar
- Alex Woodmass, Eau De Vie
- Cameron Welniak, Longrain
- Darren Leaney, Capitano
- Filippo Sanchi, Above Board
- Jennifer Lo, Lui bar
- Jimmy Sauerbier, Boilermaker House
- Kane Nelson, Longrain
- Kane Clayfield, Jane Doe
- Kenny D’Souza, Boilermaker House
- Lachlan Bentley, The Everleigh
- Laurence Eaton, Eau De Vie
- Lewis Baldwin, Lume
- Michael Braun, Mjølner
- Minguk Yu, Mjølner
- Nick Tesar, Bar Liberty
- Pez Collier, Fancy Free
- Renato Tonelli, Galah Boozery
- Sarah Jones, Boilermaker House
- Stefano Canova, Eau De Vie
- Tracy Gardner, Jane Doe
- Will Sleeman, Fancy Free
- Zachary Morgan, The Black Pearl
Western Australia
- Brocc Rogers, Bar Lafayette
- Dean Buchanan, Long Chim
- Elise Godwin, Strange Company
- James Pennefather, Tinys
- Joshua Cullinane, Long Chim
- Kaden Pool, Long Chim
- Mark White, Mechanics’ Institute
- Matt Bodycote, The Peach Pit
- Max Giudice, Tinys
- Murray Walsh, Mechanics Institute
- Tim Colston, Bar Lafayette
