The incredible rise and rise of Never Never Distilling Co is showing no signs of slowing, with the company hiring Shay Chamberlain was its first-ever Australian Brand Ambassador.
After 12 years working in some of the best bars around the world, and most recently managing Melbourne’s legendary Black Pearl, Shay joins Never Never as its first full-time employee outside of South Australia.
Shay paid tribute to Black Pearl and said when the time came to leave, there was only ever going to be one place she would go.
“The Pearl was an absolute honour to be a part of,” she said. “It’s the kind of bar that past staff still frequent and that even upon your first visit you feel like a regular.
“Making the decision to move on was a hard one, but where to move was easy. Never Never gives that same genuine experience and high standards that I strive to deliver.
“From the very outset I have loved everything that Never Never do. I’ve never really wanted to work as an ambassador for any other brand, largely because it would feel disingenuous, I’ve never really found that connection.”
Shay added: “Never Never is a brand that create incredible products that I always enjoyed working with when I was at Black Pearl. “Their focus on getting as much flavour into the bottle meant that I always felt comfortable recommending it to guests.
“It’s a cracking gin made by people who have worked their way up from a shed in Adelaide’s west, to making the best gin in the country. “I’m so proud to be working alongside them and to become a part of the Never Never family.”
Never Never Brand Director Sean Baxter, was understandably delighted to have Shay join the team.
“It’s very rare that you get the opportunity to work with someone who brings as much to the table as Shay does,” Sean said.
“This will be an incredible opportunity to work with one of the country’s most exciting and respected bartending minds.”
Looking ahead Shay will be travelling around the country and visiting parts of Australia that are currently allowing interstate guests. She was fortuitous enough to be travelling around Australia when the initial Victorian lockdowns were enforced, meaning she was able to continue to visit parts of the country unrestricted.
“It’s obviously a changing landscape week to week,” Shay said. “I’m looking forward to getting into a few venues and deliver some training on the Never Never story, make a few drinks and meet bartenders all across the country.”
Her list of stops in her first month in the role includes Darwin, Perth and Brisbane before heading back to Adelaide to take part in Never Never’s Seek More Flavour Festival, which takes place on October 16. The Festival will include core gin tastings, cocktail masterclasses, cooking demonstrations, unreleased gin sampling experiences and also the chance to win a year’s supply of Triple Juniper Gin.
