More than 430 entries from bartenders across Australia have been narrowed down to the State Finalists for Suntory Cup 2026, setting the stage for one of the competition’s biggest years yet.
As Club Suntory celebrates 40 years of supporting and championing the hospitality industry, this year’s competition challenged bartenders to create a cocktail inspired by a person, moment or milestone worth celebrating, while bringing the spirit of Omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of wholehearted hospitality, to life.
The response was nothing short of impressive.
A diverse number of entries came from every corner of the country, showcasing exceptional creativity, technical skill and personal storytelling. From mentors who shaped careers and venues that became second homes, to community connections, unforgettable guest experiences and personal achievements, this year’s field reflected the passion, generosity and creativity that continue to define hospitality at its best.
Competitors could enter one of two divisions: Club Yatte Minahare for bartenders with less than two years’ experience and Club Omoroi for those with more than two years behind the bar. Inspired by Suntory’s founding philosophy of Yatte Minahare, meaning “Go For It”, the competition continues to encourage bartenders to back themselves, take risks and put their ideas forward, regardless of where they are in their careers.
Entries were judged across three key areas:
- The Suntory Serve (40%) – cocktail name, specifications, garnish and methodology.
- Storytelling (40%) – the inspiration and narrative behind the creation.
- Cocktail Presentation (20%) – the beauty and composition of the cocktail photograph.
Today, we’re proud to reveal the State Finalists advancing to the next stage of the competition.
MEET THE STATE FINALISTS
NEW SOUTH WALES & AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Club Omoroi
- Ben Carmine, Nel Restaurant, New South Wales
- Brett Nebauer, 11e cáve, Australian Capital Territory
- Doris Gao, PS40, New South Wales
- Emre Bilgin, Maybe Sammy, New South Wales
- Jamie Ross, Prefecture 48, New South Wales
- Kalisha Glover, Sakura House, New South Wales
- Liam Lengronne, Parlour of Dreams, Australian Capital Territory
- Lucas Wiggers, Joe’s Bar (East Hotel), Australian Capital Territory
- Pasquale Scarpiello, Grill Americano, New South Wales
- Royston Lau, Rosa’s At the Lawn, Australian Capital Territory
- Russell Downie, Fishnets, New South Wales
- Tom Opie, Pilot, Australian Capital Territory
Club Yatte Minahare
- Aidan Scoble, Trinita Ristorante, New South Wales
- Amitayush Chakrabarti, Devil You Don’t, Australian Capital Territory
- Estella De Spirt, Eau de Vie, New South Wales
- Giorgio Lanza, Charlie Parker’s, New South Wales
- Jarmaine Tinapay, Tokyo Bird, New South Wales
- Ka Kuen Tong, One Tap Cocktail Bar, New South Wales
QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY
Club Omoroi
- Andie Bulley, Joy, Queensland
- Annie Thao Nguyen, Hanky Panky Lounge, Northern Territory
- Elliot Pascoe, Anyday Group, Queensland
- HonYin Lam, Aizome Bar, Queensland
- Jacob Cohen, Savile Row, Queensland
- Jacob Frisch, The Gresham Bar, Queensland
- Leah Dunnigan, Savile Row, Queensland
- Matt Zarimis, Bar Kokomo, Northern Territory
- Simone Solinas, Bar Kokomo, Northern Territory
- Sullivan Maclure-Neilsen, Gin School, Queensland
- Tanaka Mayenzanise, Dr Gimlette, Queensland
Club Yatte Minahare
- Anak Agung Gede Jagadhita Ari Geria, Beef & Bar Restaurant, Northern Territory
- Carter Stacey, Frogs Hollow Saloon, Queensland
- Coco Righetti, El Ritmo, Queensland
- Kristin Christie, The Gresham, Queensland
- Valentina Munoz Parra, Shaman Bar, Queensland
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Club Omoroi
- Alex Bubba Johnston, Honeydripper, South Australia
- Jason Ryan, Bank Street Social, South Australia
- Jennifer Panozzo, Malt & Juniper, South Australia
- Joe Maguire, Malt & Juniper, South Australia
- Josh Lever, Malt & Juniper, South Australia
- Koby Gelven, Maybe Mae, South Australia
- Tahgan-Jiian Howlett, BRKLYN, South Australia
Club Yatte Minahare
- Alanna Howick, Therapy Cocktail Bar, South Australia
- Ambrine Aib, Jane’s Fault, South Australia
- Ana Apolonia Ribeiro dos Santos, Bank Street Social, South Australia
- Eloise Philpot, Adelaide Festival Centre, South Australia
- Natasha Buyens, Monica Bistro, South Australia
VICTORIA & TASMANIA
Club Omoroi
- Amberly Fox, Fantome Wine Bar & Cocktails, Victoria
- Catherine Cheesman, Rude Boy, Tasmania
- Chanakan Khoonwat, Society, Victoria
- Darcy Beamish, Waterside Hotel, Victoria
- Jack Turner, Rudeboy, Tasmania
- James Wilkinson, Inuman, Victoria
- Jax Thai, Rude Boy, Tasmania
- Joey Tai, Bar Selecta, Victoria
- Liu Jeffrey, Lost Bar, Victoria
- Navarre Fenwick, Three Horses, Victoria
- Richard Liu, Kushiro Fusion Cuisine, Victoria
- Shevaughn Lee Bambrough, Eau De Vie, Victoria
- Tom McHugh, Caretaker’s Cottage, Victoria
- Tom Pinson, Three Horses, Victoria
Club Yatte Minahare
- Andrew Durgan, Mary Mary, Tasmania
- Chi Kin Chan, Lost Bar, Victoria
- Hanming (James) Zheng, Lost Bar, Victoria
- Janet Hunter, Three Horses, Victoria
- Phil Gao, Little Lon, Victoria
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Club Omoroi
- Chris Hodges, Mechanics Institute, Western Australia
- Christian Perone, 1520 Speakeasy, Crown Perth, Western Australia
- Jarvis Winter, Papi Katsu, Western Australia
- Josh Varna, Foxtrot Unicorn, Western Australia
- Mario Claudio Rizzo, Foxtrot Unicorn, Western Australia
- Mark Liao, Cherubino City Cellar, Western Australia
- Nicholas Francis, St Brigid Bar, Western Australia
- Rinzin Norbu, Baillie Hill (Beth’s), Western Australia
- Rosie McClure, Light Years, Western Australia
- Sion Roberts, Nextdoor, Western Australia
Club Yatte Minahare
- Alec Aube, St Brigid Bar, Western Australia
- Cyrus Todd, St Brigid Bar, Western Australia
- Jack Adam, St Brigid Bar, Western Australia
- Johan Antony, Varnish on King, Western Australia
The successful bartenders will now move into the next phase of the competition, with finalists activating their cocktails in venues throughout July, giving guests and the wider hospitality community the opportunity to experience and enjoy the drinks that earned them a place in the State Finals.
Across August, finalists will come together for the Suntory Cup State Showdowns in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Far more than a competition, the two-day Showdowns are designed to bring the hospitality community together. Finalists will take part in immersive experiences, educational sessions, networking opportunities and unique Suntory experiences before stepping in front of the judges on day two to present their cocktail and story live.
It’s a chance to learn, connect, celebrate the industry and support the people pushing it forward.
STATE SHOWDOWN DATES
- Western Australia | 3–4 August
- New South Wales & ACT | 10–11 August
- Queensland & Northern Territory | 17–18 August
- South Australia | 17–18 August
- Victoria & Tasmania | 24–25 August
At each State Showdown, two category winners and one People’s Choice winner will earn a place at the Suntory Cup 2026 Grand Final, taking place in Sydney on 12–13 September 2026.
Awaiting them is one of the most exciting prize packages in Australian bartending.
The National Champions will share in $40,000 prize pool and embark on an unforgettable European experience later in the year, including visits to Suntory Global Spirits’ iconic Bowmore and Laphroaig distilleries on Islay, Scotland, before joining the global bartending community at the world-renowned Athens Bar Show in Greece.
For anyone working in hospitality, the State Showdowns are not to be missed. Come along, support your peers, discover the stories behind the cocktails, taste the drinks being talked about and celebrate the talent that makes this industry so special.
Congratulations to all State Finalists and thank you to every bartender who entered this year’s competition.
The cocktails are in. The finalists are locked. Now it’s time to see who will rise to the occasion.
Be part of the Legacy, follow Club Suntory today @ClubSuntoryOceania.
www.club.suntory.com