Media release - 21 September 2005

Maxxium New Zealand presents
Trans Tasman Cocktail Challenge 2005

Regional Heats To Be Held Next Week

From rugby to cricket to netball … both on and off the field … Australia and New Zealand have always been arch rivals … now it’s time to take it to the bars.

The Trans Tasman Cocktail Challenge will see five of New Zealand’s top bartenders take on their fellow Australian counterparts at one of Sydney’s top cocktail establishments, late October 2005.

Over the past month, the search has been on to find the country’s five top bartenders to represent New Zealand at the finals in Sydney.

The Auckland and Hamilton regional heats are to be held from 1:00pm Monday 26th September at Chicane, Ponsonby Rd, Auckland.

Regional finalists will be required to create their original cocktail and a second “contemporary” cocktail using Suntory Midori Melon Liqueur. Midori is a highly versatile liqueur with a vibrant green colour and a delicate honeydew melon taste and utilised in popular cocktails such as the Illusion, Splice and the Randy Little Kiwi.

Regional finals will also be held in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The five regional winners will compete as a team against the Aussies to win the Trans Tasman Trophy for New Zealand.

In addition there will be one outright Winner who will also receive a hosted trip to Japan, home of Suntory and Midori the No 1 Australian cocktail mixer. The Winner will spend three nights in Tokyo and will visit Suntory plus the top bars and clubs.

The Auckland and Hamilton regional finalists are:
Glen McLeod – Sekure – Hamilton
Mark Smithells – Sohl- Hamilton
Kate Skipper – Granite - Hamilton
Dylan Adams – Sponge Bar – Auckland
Tim O’Brien – Opium – Auckland
Danny Chambers - Opium – Auckland
Auega Faaiuaso – Opium – Auckland
James Anthony – Green Room – Auckland
Jamie Lawton – Gold – Auckland
Hans Hoeflich - Cibo- Auckland
Roydon Wayne – Brooklyn – Auckland
Racheel Kerr – Denim – Auckland
Adrian Doss – Denim – Auckland
Amandine Tribbia – Villa d Vine – Auckland
Jurgen Kennedy – Bubble Lounge – Auckland

DATE: Monday 26th September
VENUE: Chicane, 198 Ponsonby Road
START: 1.00pm
APPROX FINISH: 5.30pm

ENDS

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