42below Announces Team New Zealand For 42below Cocktail World Cup 2012
They are:
- Guy Jacobson, Hippopotamus Bar, Wellington
- Giancarlo Jesus, Hawthorn Lounge, Wellington
- Barney Toy, Suite Bar, Auckland
Barney Toy’s drink ‘Reaching New Heights’ was inspired by the achievements of Sir Edmund Hillary. “I kind of want to cry
a little! When I finished my drink I said this was my Everest and it truly was, all I’ve wanted to do was make Team NZ,”
says Barney.
Guy took to the stage in a polka dot dress he’d spend weeks perfecting his drink with his good friend and now team mate,
Jesus. “I know how hard we all worked for this, the sacrifices we made, the hours we spent practicing our drinks, this
is verification and reward for all of that,” says Guy.
The three bartenders were found after an exhaustive nationwide search, which included a series of regional heats
culminating in a spectacular national final held in Wellington’s ‘The Front Room’ last night.
More than 150 of Wellington’s hospitality industry witnessed the best in New Zealand bartending talent push the
boundaries of cocktail creation with some inspired, innovative and delicious concoctions. The eight finalists had just
seven minutes to impress judges, chef Rex Morgan, Wellington bartending legend Jason Clark and host of ‘The Mix’ and
spirit ambassador Frankie Walker. The top three emerged clear winners, their combination of skill, personality and
presentation earning themselves a place on Team New Zealand.
“The standard was very high with a diverse array of drinks and skills which made it incredibly hard to judge. It is all
about balance, their drink, the on stage persona and we also wanted to get the combination right in the team, “ says
judge Jason Clark.
The hopes of a nation now rest with this eclectic trio of mixology masters. In the eight years of the 42BELOW Cocktail
World Cup, New Zealand has never emerged victorious, a sad history we are determined to rewrite this year.
The team now has just over a month to bond and devise and perfect their signature drink to win them the coveted trophy
at CWC. The 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup kicks off in Queenstown on September 3rd before moving north to Auckland for a
grand final event on September 7th. The week long competition incorporates a series of challenges testing much more than
just their drinks making skills along with seminars by some of the world’s best and most influential bartending talent
and adrenalin pumping activities devised to make even the bravest of bartenders, cry.
Congratulations to Team New Zealand. Now bring home the title, boys.
ENDS