10 Australian finalists battled it out for the Australian title of Amaro Montenegro “Vero Bartender” on Tuesday 23rd August at Bridge Lane Bar in Sydney in front of a packed crowd.
The theme for 2022’s edition was Sharing the Essence; bartenders had to create a large-format sharing cocktail that tells the story of a metaphorical or physical journey or adventure that has inspired them. The winning cocktail captured the bartender’s unique skill in the art of creating moments of meaningful togetherness.
A total of 10 finalists amongst 53 valid entries received, were selected to make their cocktail creation in front of a live panel of judges including Adam Lau, 2019 Australian Vero Bartender National champion, and Mark Hickey, Spirits Platform National Academy Program & Brand Ambassadorial Manager and Josh O’Brien, Spirits Platform NSW Brand Ambassador. Guest judge was David Spanton from Australian Bartender Magazine.
The Top 10 finalists for Amaro Montenegro’s Vero bartender Competition 2022 were:-
- Kate Bartlett (Cobbler) | Brisbane QLD
- Alessandro Nardini (Fable) | Melbourne VIC
- Alfie Simmons | Maybe Mae | Adelaide SA
- Mayer Henry Tanza (Grain Bar) | Sydney NSW
- Loic Mouchelin (Sante Bar) | Toowoomba QLD
- Benjamin Walsh (Jolenes Bar) | Sydney NSW
- Liam Shephard (Bar Brutus) | Brisbane QLD
- Paolo Maffietti (Maybe Sammy) | Sydney NSW
- Alex Johnson (Hanky Panky) | Darwin NT
- Thomas Opie (Births & Deaths) | Sydney/Wollongong NSW
The theme for 2022’s edition was Sharing the Essence; bartenders had to create a large-format sharing cocktail that tells the story of a metaphorical or physical journey or adventure that has inspired them.
The Australian winner was Thomas Opie from Births & Deaths in Wollongong NSW. He will now compete against other bartenders from all over the world in the global final of The Vero Bartender in Italy in October 22.
His winning drink the Buram-ba-bi-rra paid homage to his ancestors, the Dreamtime and ancestral ties. It featured Amaro Montenegro, Highland Park 12 year old, Select Aperitif, a Rooibos & Pineapple Shrub and fermented lantana honey soda.
