On Tuesday morning, the second Regional Final for The Perfect Blend Cocktail competition 2020, was held in Adelaide. Bartenders met at Electra House before embarking on two days of adventures, challenges, and education!
13 finalists, (3 Apprentice Category and 10 Professional Category) were whisked away from the city, to a day in The Barossa. As part of the day’s agenda, they were treated to an intimate and informative hands-on session, learning from three extremely knowledgeable and witty Coopers at Seppeltsfield winery, then exploring flavour matching, and food pairing, then returning to Adelaide CBD for a Jim Beam celebratory dinner at Apoteca.
This Regional Final saw another group of finalists competing for the very first time – although you wouldn’t have known by the strength, and confidence of each performance. The Perfect Blend also welcomed back a significant number of finalists all vying for another attempt at the title! Or in turn trying to keep it!
The competition day saw finalists take to the stage, in which each had their 7 minutes of fame to present their ‘ A toast to… ‘ cocktail in front of their fellow competitors and a judging panel consisting of Ollie Margan, Chad Hanson Erica Richards and Kate Rowlands.
Before competition day, finalists were required to promote their signature creations within their respective venues for a total of two (2) weeks, to celebrate World Bartender Day. Points toward their final scores were awarded on their approach to this component of this competition. See the 100 finalists and their cocktails at www.worldbartenderday.com
After the presentations had concluded – ORSO in Adelaide hosted the finalists to an intimate Maker’s Mark dinner, and it was here they were able to relax and enjoy time together before the announcement. The judges deliberated, and scores were in, the SA/NT Regional finals winners were announced.
Apprentice Category winner was awarded to that of a first time ever competitor, Hamish Trenowden from Bar Torino. Back for a second time into the competition, (but a new category this year) was, Adam Hingston taking out Professional category from Maybe Mae.
Hamish and Adam will now proceed to the Grand Final held in Bali, with the 10 other state finalist winners yet to be announced.
APPRENTICE CATEGORY
Monique Nelson
Hollee McKinnon
Hamish Trenowden
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY:
Jin Maekawa
Alex Johnston
Joey Folkersma
Adam Hingston
Laura Aikin
Al Simmons
Nick Favaro
Mike Han
Michael Keogh
Kayla Grigoriou
Keep watching as the next four states unfold!www.the-blend.com.au
Maybe Mae
KITH AND KIN
GLASSWARE
Ceramic Cup
GARNISH
Fig Leaf
INGREDIENTS
45ml Maker’s Mark
15ml Fig leaf infused Maderia
30ml Acidulated apple juice
15ml Lacto fermented almond and coconut orgeat
METHOD
Shaken
HIBISCUS FOR HEATHER
GLASSWARE
Nick and Nora
GARNISH
Grapefruit Peel
INGREDIENTS
50ml Jim Beam Rye
25ml Acid Modified Grapefruit Juice
Hibiscus Tea Syrup
2 dashes Homemade grapefruit bitters
1 spray Mace pepper spray
METHOD
Shaken