The Search to Raise the Bar

News Release

August 29, 2003

The Search to Raise the Bar

It's After Eight, Between the Sheets with a Latin Lover, an Italian Stallion and a Screaming Orgasm.

An Island Affair?

No just some of the cocktails created by bartenders over the years.

Now New Zealand's hottest bartending talent will be creating their own original concoctions in a national search for the country's most innovative cocktail maker.

Regional winners from all over the country in the Suntory Cocktail Championship will battle it out at the finals in the Garden City on Sunday September 21, 2003.

The winning bartender gets a five day trip to New York to visit the Big Apple's most exclusive cocktail bars.

The cocktail championship is part of the Maxxium New Zealand-initiated Suntory Cocktail Programme.

"The aim of the Suntory Cocktail Programme and championship is to elevate the level of professionalism in bartending and ensure New Zealand maintains international standards and trends," says Maxxium brand manager Susan Ralston.

"Savvy local barflies are increasingly looking for more complex and fashionable cocktails.

"Our food industry is constantly experimenting with different products, textures and flavours. We want to continually encourage bartenders to adopt a similar approach".

The cocktail championships will be divided into two categories - Classic and Flair - with a section for bartenders with less than two years experience and another for those with more advanced skills.

Regional Championships

- Christchurch, Sunday August 31, 2003 at The Viaduct - 4pm

- Wellington, Tuesday September 2, 2003 at Blow - 5pm

- Auckland, Sunday September 7 at Float - 4pm

National Championship

- Christchurch, Sunday September 21, 2003 at The Holy Grail

Ends

Issued for Maxxium by Pead PR

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