The Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition returns this year increasing to include competitors from a total of 30 countries.
It’s a challenge for mixologists and bartenders to demonstrate their skill, expertise, respect for craftmanship, attention to detail and unwavering commitment to perfection and to see these values brought to life through their cocktail creation and presentation.
Returning to our shores for the fourth year running, entries for the Australian and New Zealand competition will be open online from 7 May until 31 July. Judged on the Patrón Tequila cocktail’s appearance, originality, service and most importantly flavour, the successful applicants will compete at regional heats in New South Wales and South Australia this September, with six victors then heading to the Australian and New Zealand Final in Melbourne on 15 October.
Following in the footsteps of the previous Australian champions, Nick Cozens, David Robinson and Abby Wegener, the winner will travel to Mexico in January 2020 to contest the 22 finalists from 30 countries at the grand final hosted in the home of Patrón Tequila, Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, Mexico. The panel of judges will decide which bartender is the ultimate Global Patrón Perfectionist.
“Representing Australia at the Patrón Perfectionists Global Final was truly an honour, not only was I able to demonstrate my skills in front of a panel of expert judges, I met 19 finalists from all around the world who inspired me with their passion for mixology and knowledge of tequila,” says Abby Wegener, 2018 Australian Patrón Perfectionist and owner of Hades Hula House.
According to Matt Sykes, senior director International Marketing, 2019 is a milestone year for the brand. “Patrón Spirits International is excited to grow the global community of Patrón Perfectionists,” he says. “In just five years Patrón Perfectionists has grown from a single country competition in the UK to a program that spans six continents and involves more than 32 countries. Over the last four years we have seen more than 6,000 bartenders enter and over the next few months we expect to see more than 5,000 register for this year’s program. Through our educations platforms, masterclasses, launch events, finals and the actual Patrón Hacienda experience for those lucky 22 finalists in January 2020, we are looking to educate, inform and inspire many thousands of bar tenders keen to learn more about the world’s most exciting spirit category and compete against the best in the world.”