Now in its tenth year, bartending competition Diago World Class has revealed the 20 finalists who will compete in the Australian Grand Final.
From more than 500 entries, the chosen finalists impressed the judges with their cocktails which were based around this year’s theme of “wanderlust”.
The finalists are:
- Max Allison, Vic
- Antonello Arzedi, NSW
- Alex Boon, Qld
- Oliver Brown, SA
- Dean Buchanan, WA
- Joseph Chisholm, Qld
- Elise Godwin, WA
- Andy Griffiths, Vic
- Paul Hammond, NSW
- Jet Hauge, NSW
- William Krepop, Vic
- Orlando Marzo, Vic
- Elliot Pascoe, Qld
- Lachlan Robinson, WA
- Dale Schoon, NSW
- Jack Sotti, Vic
- Evan Stroeve, NSW
- Nick Tesar, Vic
- Samuel Tripet, Qld
- Dominic Xavier, Qld
The finalists will battle it out in the Australian Grand Final in Sydney on 23 and 24 April, in a series of live challenges and educational workshops hosted by industry experts.
The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Berlin to represent Australia at the Global Finals in October, followed by a cocktail tour of Europe.
This year’s mentors and judges include Michael Madrusan, founder of The Everleigh and The Elk Room in Melbourne; Danielle Alvarez executive chef of Fred’s in Paddington and Melissa Leong, food writer and media personality.
World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2017 Kaitlyn Stewart and Diago World Class national ambassador Krystal Hart will also be guiding competitors throughout the two days of action.