Suntory Cup NSW Final Competition

The NSW Suntory Cup state final was held at The Standard in Darlinghurst on Monday 20th September. Five bartenders from NSW competed for the title with industry guests and media attending the event.

Suntory Cup NSW Final at the Standard

Five bartender stations were set up where competitors had to prepare their cocktails for the guests. Competing for the title were Simon McGoram from Gardel’s Bar, Taka Shino from Eau De Vie Bar, Kevin Peters from The Standard/Lofi, Daniel Noble from Cohi Bar and Dan Redman from the Trademark Hotel.

Drink tokens were handed out on arrival which were redeemable for a cocktail at any of the bartender stations. In this bartender competition, guests did not play a role in the voting process. Competitors were assessed on a series of criteria including a quiz with the decision left to expert judges.

Taka Shino: Cocktail– Emerald Hill

Simon McGoram: Cocktail – Masts Magical Elixir

Kevin Peters: Cocktail – Ruby Red Runner

Daniel Noble: Cocktail – Colonel Apricot

Dan Redman: Cocktail – Le Rougé

The winner of the Suntory Cup NSW state final was Taka Shino from Eau De Vie Bar with his whisky-based cocktail Emerald Hill.

Cocktail: Emerald Hill
Garnish: Green Olive
Glass: Crystal ‘Old Fashioned/ Double Rocks’ glass
Method: Stir with ice in a mixing glass, and strain over fresh ice.
Ingredients:
20ml Midori
30ml Yamazaki 12 yo
15ml Bowmore Legend
5ml Cynar artichoke liqueur
1 dash Bitter Truth Grapefruit bitters

L-R: Kevin Peters, Taka Shino (winner), Simon McGoram

Kevin Peters from Lo/Fi and Simon McGoram from Gardel’s bar won second and third place respectively.

Midori light fitting

The competition will continue in WA where the state finals will be held on Monday 3 September with the grand final taking place in November 2012.

For all the bartender action photos from the night, visit Gourmantic on Facebook where you can “Like” the page and tag.