New Zealand Bartenders Can Mix With the Best of Them
Media release – 9 September August 2004
New Zealand’s hottest bartending talent will be on show at the National Finals of the Suntory Cocktail Championships
Sunday 12th September at Float. Contestants will create their own original concoctions in the search for the country’s
most innovative mixologist.
Over the past few weeks, regional final events were held in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. The winners from
these heats will put their talent and their creativity to the test this Sunday for the chance to win the overall supreme
Maxx Award, which acknowledges excellence in cocktail bartending.
The championships are divided into two categories, Classic and Freestyle, with a section for advanced bartenders and
another for those with less than two years experience. Each winner from the two categories will win a trip to Europe to
visit the cocktail capitals of the world, and learn first hand what’s the latest trends/fashion in cocktails.
The competition, now in its third year, is considered the premier event of its kind in New Zealand and is part of the
Maxxium New Zealand-initiated Suntory Cocktail Programme. Maxxium is the company responsible for the sales, marketing
and distribution of many of the world's leading wine and spirit brands, including ABSOLUT VODKA, Galliano, Cointreau,
Midori and Suntory brands The Famous Grouse Scotch Whisky, Jim Beam Bourbon and Rémy Martin Cognac.
Maxxium brand manager Susan Ralston explains, “The aim of the Suntory Cocktail Programme and Championship is to elevate
the level of professionalism in bartending and ensure the New Zealand hospitality industry has the inside word on new
international trends” National Championship Final Auckland Sunday 12th September at Float 6pm till late
ENDS