The search is over, we can finally reveal the NZ winners of The PERFECT BLEND 2018.
With the last piece of the puzzle complete and six finals down, our last two remaining finalists have been placed to make up the 12.
The PERFECT BLEND 2018 New Zealand final took place on Monday night in (windy) Wellington at Fox Glove, on the waterfront.
With close to 200 industry supporters in the crowd and 11 extraordinarily talented Finalists from all over New Zealand who took to the stage – it really demonstrated the community and comradery of our industry.
Five bartenders competed in the Apprentice category, and six took part in the Professional category, with all competing for that spot at the Grand Final with the further chance to win a bartender’s trip of a life time: heading to the home of Bourbon, Kentucky USA visiting the Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark distilleries and then heading across to Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.
During competition day the finalists were put through their paces to complete a blind tasting, a product knowledge test and then the live performance.
Winning the Apprentice category was Eddie Goddard from Hanging Ditch; taking out the Professional category — and returning back the Grand Final for a second shot — was Max Roberts-Bristow from Poquito.
Eddie and Max now proceed to the Grand Final later in the year to compete with the other lucky finalists from each regional final.
Want to see all the finalists cocktail recipes?
Head to www.worldbartenderday.com
Grand Final is one month away! WHO WILL WIN?