Bartending competition, Diageo Reserve World Class, has revealed the Australian winner for 2019 — Alex Boon from Mjølner in Melbourne.
Beating hundreds of bartenders from across the nation, Boon will now head to Scotland on 24–26 September to fly the flag for Australia and compete against 55 other nations for the title of Global Bartender of the Year 2019.
Boon marked his 4th year entering the competition with the win, demonstrating unique flair, passion and creativity during the event.
The 2019 Australian competition challenged professional bartenders across the country to create a unique cocktail using spirits from Diageo’s Reserve portfolio – Ketel One Vodka, Tanqueray No. Ten Gin and Talisker 10-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky. For the grand final the Top 20 were put through their paces at a two day event hosted at The Dolphin & Scout Bar in Sydney, by a panel of industry experts, judged on quality, presentation, service and of course, taste.
“This year was highly competitive and a showcase of extraordinary talent. It’s exciting to see how innovative Australia’s bar industry has become,” says Krystal Hart, Australia’s World Class Ambassador. “Alex impressed us early on, and his continued sense of creativity and attention to detail really shone through in the judge’s eyes. Once again the competition has inspired us with new ideas and we can’t wait to touchdown in Glasgow where Alex will demonstrate what Australia has to offer.”
Currently in its 11th year, the World Class Bartender of the Year competition continues to support, educate and inspire, more than 350,000 bartenders through its advocacy programs. Now spanning more than 60 countries, with more than 10,000 bartenders entering the competition each year it continues to be instrumental in transforming fine drinking and cocktail culture around the world.
The Global Finals will be held 24–26 September in Glasgow, Scotland.