Kristin Christie and Andie Bulley take home the national titles following a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and Australian hospitality
The Suntory Cup 2026 journey came to a close on Sunday 13 September at Suntory ClubHouse during Bar Week in Sydney, where Kristin Christie from The Gresham in Queensland was crowned the national winner of Club Yatte Minahare, while Andie Bulley from Joy in Queensland took home the Club Omoroi title.
The two bartenders emerged as the winners following a Grand Finale that brought together 10 of Australia’s leading emerging and established bartenders, testing their creativity, technical skills, speed, storytelling and approach to hospitality.
With more than 430 entries received across Australia, the 2026 competition was one of the biggest in the Suntory Cup’s history and formed part of Club Suntory’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
“What makes the Suntory Cup so special is the community that comes together around it. This year, more than 430 bartenders put themselves forward, shared their stories and challenged themselves to go for it, and it’s been fantastic to see those connections grow throughout the journey. From the State Showdowns through to the Grand Finale, we’ve seen bartenders supporting, learning from and celebrating one another. That sense of community is something we’re incredibly proud to be part of, and it reflects what Club Suntory has always stood for, creating opportunities for people in hospitality to connect, grow and shine.”
John Galiatsatos, Head of Advocacy, One Suntory
FROM 430 ENTRIES TO THE GRAND FINALE
The Suntory Cup 2026 began with more than 430 entries from bartenders across Australia.
This year’s theme asked 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 brief encouraged bartenders to look beyond the drink itself and consider the people and experiences that have shaped them. Entries celebrated mentors, friendships, venues, personal achievements, communities and memorable guest experiences.
The competition was divided into two categories. Club Yatte Minahare was open to bartenders with less than two years’ experience behind the bar, while Club Omoroi was for those with more than two years in the industry.
Yatte Minahare, meaning “Go For It”, reflects one of the principles established by Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii. For the competitors, that spirit was seen in their willingness to back themselves, try something new and put their ideas forward.
THE STATE SHOWDOWNS
Following the initial judging process, the competition travelled across the country, with State Showdowns held across Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania, and Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The two-day Showdowns combined competition with education, connection and experiences designed to bring the finalists together as a national hospitality community.
Day One focused on connection, with finalists taking part in activities designed to encourage new relationships and push them outside their comfort zones. One icebreaker challenge saw them attempt to learn a tune on the violin in just one hour.
They also took part in a hands-on tasting of Hibiki with Natalie Ng, National Brand Ambassador for House of Suntory, exploring the craftsmanship, heritage and attention to detail behind one of Suntory’s most recognised whiskies.
Day Two brought the competition itself to the forefront. Each finalist presented their celebration-inspired cocktail to the judges, sharing the story behind their serve while demonstrating their technical skill, creativity and approach to Omotenashi.
The result was a diverse collection of cocktails, each reflecting the people, places and experiences that had influenced the bartender behind the drink.
THE 10 NATIONAL FINALISTS
The 10 finalists who progressed to the national Grand Finale were:
NSW/ACT
Club Omoroi | Ben Carmine, Nel Restaurant / Bentley Group
Club Yatte Minahare | Aidan Scoble, Breakout Bar, Wollongong
QLD/NT
Club Omoroi | Andie Bulley, Joy
Club Yatte Minahare | Kristin Christie, The Gresham
SA
Club Omoroi | Alex Bubba Johnston, Honeydripper
Club Yatte Minahare | Ambrine Aib, Jane’s Fault
VIC/TAS
Club Omoroi | Tom Pinson, Three Horses
Club Yatte Minahare | Janet Hunter, Three Horses
WA
Club Omoroi | Josh Varna, Foxtrot Unicorn
Club Yatte Minahare | Alec Aube, St Brigid Bar
THE GRAND FINALE
The final 10 came together in Sydney for three challenges that tested different sides of their bartending ability, with the first two accounting for 25% each of the final score and the Celebration challenge making up the remaining 50%.
The first was the Mystery Challenge, with the brief “Jim Beam Refresh Yourself: Taking Bourbon out of the basement and into refreshment”.
Revealed on the morning of the competition, finalists were given a $100 cash card and sent to Paddy’s Markets to source products they could use to create their drink. They then returned to Suntory HQ and had one hour to develop their Jim Beam serve, responding to the brief while making the most of the ingredients they had selected.
The finalists presented their drinks to a judging panel comprising Charlie Lehmann, Co-owner of Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern; John Galiatsatos, Head of Advocacy, One Suntory; and Alice Newport, James B. Beam National Ambassador.
Kristin Christie from The Gresham took out the Mystery Challenge, earning a $500 cash card before going on to claim the overall Club Yatte Minahare and Suntory Cup 2026 titles.
The Suntory Speed Challenge followed in the afternoon, bringing all 10 finalists together for a test of speed, consistency, precision and hospitality.
Each contestant was required to produce four Suntory signature serves in just three minutes: two shaken, one stirred and one highball or long drink. Competing across both categories, the finalists went head-to-head to see who could deliver the serves quickly and accurately while maintaining the level of hospitality expected from a Club Suntory member.
Janet Hunter from Three Horses claimed the Speed Challenge and a $500 cash card.
The final and most heavily weighted challenge was Celebration, held on the final day of the competition. Worth 50% of the overall score, the challenge saw each finalist bring their original entry cocktail to life, with taste, presentation, storytelling and Omotenashi all forming part of the final assessment.
The winners of the three challenges were announced at Suntory ClubHouse on Sunday night, where the competition culminated with the announcement of the two national titles.
SUNTORY CLUBHOUSE
Following the competition, finalists and guests gathered at Suntory ClubHouse as part of Bar Week, bringing together members of the hospitality community from across Australia.
The space was designed as an exploration of Suntory Global Spirits, with distinct experiences including the Galliano Terraza, Bourbon Belt, Suntory Time and Hibiki Secret Room.
Guests experienced Suntory cocktails and whisky serves, a private Hibiki tasting, music and live art throughout the evening.
The event reflected Suntory’s longstanding focus on craftsmanship, hospitality and creating experiences that bring people together. It also connected with the company’s broader ambition of “Inspiring the Brilliance of Life”, bringing brands, people and experiences together in a setting designed to be discovered and shared.
WATER, CRAFT AND GROWING FOR GOOD
Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist Tabitha Rice created a live artwork during the evening, drawing inspiration from water and its ability to flow, adapt and transform.
Rice’s practice explores emotion through texture, movement and sensory experience. For Suntory ClubHouse, she used these ideas to create a work reflecting the role water plays in both nature and the craft of spirits.
“Water takes the form of whatever contains it. It never waits. It searches for every path it can find to keep moving.”
The work provided a visual expression of Suntory’s Growing for Good philosophy and its ongoing focus on protecting and regenerating the natural resources that underpin its spirits.
Water is fundamental to the production of whisky and other spirits, making its preservation closely connected to Suntory’s approach to long-term craftsmanship and sustainability.
AN EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE COMPETITION
For Kristin Christie and Andie Bulley, the Suntory Cup journey will continue beyond the Grand Finale.
The winners will share in the $40,000 prize pool and embark on a European experience in October, including visits to Suntory Global Spirits’ Bowmore and Laphroaig distilleries on Islay, Scotland, before joining the global bartending community at the Athens Bar Show in Greece.
The experience will give the winners the opportunity to deepen their understanding of spirits and production, connect with bartenders from around the world and experience more of the craftsmanship behind the brands they work with every day.
40 YEARS OF CLUB SUNTORY
The 2026 Suntory Cup forms part of Club Suntory’s 40th anniversary, marking four decades of supporting and championing Australia’s hospitality industry.
Established in 1986, Club Suntory has continued to evolve alongside the bartending community, creating opportunities for education, mentorship, connection and recognition.
The Suntory Cup reflects that ongoing commitment by giving bartenders at different stages of their careers a platform to challenge themselves, share their stories and connect with their peers.
This year’s competition also offered a snapshot of the next generation of Australian hospitality, from emerging bartenders taking their first major competitive steps to experienced professionals continuing to push their creativity and craft.
For Christie and Bulley, the next chapter now takes them beyond Australia, while the wider Suntory Cup community moves forward with new connections, experiences and inspiration from the 2026 journey.
Kristin Christie from The Gresham and Andie Bulley from Joy are the 2026 Suntory Cup national champions.
For Christie and Bulley, the next chapter now takes them beyond Australia, while the wider Suntory Cup community moves forward with new connections, experiences and inspiration from the 2026 journey.
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