Amaro Montenegro has announced its 10 national finalists for Vero Bartender 2019, with the winner announced later this month.
According to Amaro Montenegro Marketing Brand Manager – Australia, Lara Gardner: “We had a huge number of entries nationally and it was a tough decision to make with the quality of drink submissions the highest they’ve ever been!”
The final will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday, September 24, at The George on Collins, with the winner flying to Milan in November to join other finalists from around the world, where the bartender with the most innovative sharing cocktail will win a trip to New York to attend Bar Convent in 2020.
To enter, the finalists created a cocktail based on Amaro Montenegro as the key ingredient and uploaded it to www.theverobartender.com.
Perfected in 1885, Amaro Montenegro features 40 botanicals from around the globe. Amber in colour, with a complex aroma, Amaro Montenegro is pleasantly balanced between sweet and bitter.
Global Brand Ambassador at Gruppo Montenegro Rudi Carraro said: “At Amaro Montenegro we constantly strive to celebrate the human spirit and the natural desire to enjoy friendship and conviviality with those around us.
“The Vero Bartender Competition is our way of encouraging bartenders to celebrate the joy of sharing, through their cocktail creations, while recognising those bartenders who create and support their communities by pushing the boundaries of flavour and true creativity.”
The 10 Aussie finalists are:
Adam Lau, Grain Bar at Four Seasons, Sydney
Alessandro Nardini, Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne (pictured above)
Claudio Bedini, Icebergs Bar and Dining, Sydney
Dave Mcavoy, Jungle Boys, Melbourne
Eros Pedone, Maybe Frank, Sydney
Etien Celzner, The Den, Hobart
Filippo Sanchi, Above Board, Melbourne
Jake Crawford, BoilerMaker House, Melbourne
Maurizio Furiani, Matteo Downtown, Sydney (‘Ammazza Caffe’ pictured above)
Reuben Beasley-Palmer, Black Pearl, Melbourne
Pictured main: ‘Work of Art’ by Erose Pedone
