Bar Fly – Barefoot Bartenders
In 2012, Aussie Tim Philips (now co-owner of Bulletin Place Bar in Sydney) was proclaimed the Global World Class Bartender of the Year. The latest round of judging in the 2013 World Class Bartender of the Year for Australia competition was held last weekend in Noosa. The BAR FLY was excited, not only because of the barefoot bartenders on the beach, but also to be an invited judge – along with Chef Colin Fassnidge of 4Fourteen and Valli Little from delicious. magazine. She had the opportunity to try some incredible new innovative cocktails from some of the best bartenders in our country. The highlight of the day however, was definitely when finalist Ben Blair of Cornerhouse Bondi stripped. Not the full monty; but in the spirit of his tropical Don Julio cocktail he removed his outer layer of clothing – a jacket, shirt and tie – to reveal a Hawaiian shirt underneath.
There’s nothing quite like sipping cocktails with sand between your toes. In this round of the competition the barefoot bartenders created a cocktail based one of the four categories: ‘East Meets West’ Cocktail with Ketel One Citroen Vodka inspired by a fusion of Asian and Occidental culture; Tropical Cocktail with Don Julio Reposado Tequila inspired by the tropics of Mexico; Celebration Cocktail with Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky inspired by the best times; or a Gentleman’s Cocktail with Bundaberg Master Distillers Collection Dark Oak Rum best enjoyed with peers by the fire. Category winners from this round – Evan Stanley (Black Pearl, Melbourne), Rinna Kato (Bacchus, Brisbane), Daniel Warren (The Understudy, Melbourne), Ben Lancaster (The Kodak Club, Melbourne) – join winning finalists from the previous round including Luke Ashton (Vasco, Sydney) and two wild cards for the final judging at The Star, which includes a cocktail matching dinner at Black by Ezard in June. The winner will receive $100,000 to start their own bar plus a chance to compete internationally. Good luck to our Sydney contingency!
