Australian bartender wins runner up title in World Cocktail Competition

By LINA NAFIE

This year, the best bartenders in the world gathered in Sydney for the 13th World Class Cocktail Competition hosted by the Diageo Bar Academy. The event coincided with Sydney’s hosting of the World Class Cocktail festival- city-wide experiences held around the world that have been welcoming drinks enthusiasts to celebrate cocktail culture for the past 13 years.

Over 300 international guests from 50 different countries headed to the Four Seasons for the event. Representing Australia was Nick Tesar, crowned Australian bartender of the year and taking out second place in the global competition. 

Tesar, who bartends at swanky Melbourne venue Bar Liberty, told City Hub that the event was “bigger” than he thought it was going to be. Contestants were put through a series of challenges in mixing innovative and creative drinks to serve up to the judges.

Tesar expressed the pressure he put on himself during the competition to make it to the final round, as historically Australia has always been in the top 10 best bartenders in the competition. Tesar said he luckily had two friends he worked with who won the competition in the past. 

“Working with all these people was amazing” Tesar said. “I am very ecstatic to have had and finished such an experience.” 

“This event is ideal to have a networking experience, learning from other people and just getting better and better.” 

Tesar said the biggest lesson he got out of the experience is to “push the boundaries and expand our ideas”.

“You will see where your big ideas can take you and see other big ideas.” 

World Class Cocktail Festival a massive hit

Jonathan Morgan, head of reserve at Diageo Australia, said “We are excited to be hosting the World Class Cocktail Festival in Sydney again this year and simultaneously hosting the Global World Class competition finals for the first time”.

Morgan described the events as a “fantastic showcase of Australia’s incredibly unique food and drink scene on the global stage”.

“We believe it is another important moment of support for the hospitality industry and it will be incredible to see Sydney’s city full of life with its impressive cocktail culture booming.”

During the week, guests and contestants had the opportunity to taste several cocktails made by some of the biggest bartenders in Sydney such as Maurice Terzini, Matt Whiley and Josh Niland.

However, this year’s World class bartender champion was Adrian Michalcik, representing Norway. Michalcik shared on Instagram his joy and enthusiasm to have accomplished his dream. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@adrianmichalcik)

“Still can’t believe that this is not just a dream which I have been trying to chase, but it already became reality” Michalcik said. 

Contestant Raphael Betti, who represented Belgium and Luxembourg told City Hub the competition was “an absolutely crazy experience”.

“It was a great honour to represent my small country and to see and meet the best bartenders from all over the world” Betti said.

“I met so many great people, had interesting conversations, and realised once more, that there is so much I still need to learn in the world of cocktails.”

The 2023 World Class Cocktail Festival and Global Finals will take place in São Paulo, Brazil.