After searching the country, island2island has announced the 10 bartenders that will compete in the Preliminary Final of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge.
The contenders will battle it out at Waterslide in Melbourne on Monday 28 August for a place in the National Final, to get one step closer to being appointed the Australian Angostura Brand Ambassador.
The finalists are:
- Emma Borelli, Taxi Riverside (VIC)
- Christ Brittain, Therapy Cocktail Bar (SA)
- Michael Chiem, PS40 (NSW)
- Daniel Gregory, Canvas (QLD)
- Lachlan Gunner, Della Hyde (NSW)
- Liam Monk, Bobeche (WA)
- Lachlan Robinson, Bobeche (WA)
- Hikaru Terasaki, Daddy Long Legs (WA)
- Hyobin Wang, Hains & Co (SA)
- Nathan Willmott, Rhonda’s (NSW)
The winner of the National Final, which will be held in September, will not only score themselves $10,000 in cash but will also win the job if Angostura Australian Brand Ambassador for a year. 
In addition, they will go on to represent Australia in the Global Final held during Carnival in Trinidad early next year – where they’ll compete for a further US $10,000 and the chance to become the Angostura Global Brand Ambassador.
“The calibre of bartender entering this year’s competition has been outstanding,” says Tanya Mah, Angostura Brand Manager at island2island.
“At this stage of the competition, we are looking for the top five that best demonstrate their capacity to create well-balanced, creative cocktails.
“They will also need to think about the fact we are looking for someone to represent Angostura as an ambassador, so professionalism and presentation will be key.”
