Selection

THE SELECTION

To be selected in the Top 25 Bartenders you must first be nominated. The process began in April as a panel of industry experts was formed to put forward Australia’s bartending talent. A list of over 300 bartenders was submitted, eventually brought down to the Top100.

The Top100 list were then asked to vote on each other in a 3-2-1 format, creating a cohort of bartenders voted as the best in the industry, by their peers. The bartenders’ bartender award.

Ashley Pini

Editor of Explore WHISKY magazine and publisher of the drinks industry’s leading title, Drinks Trade, Ash has been in the industry for 25 years. During that time, he has published for the Australian Hotels Association, the Drinks Association, Masterchef and Better Homes and Gardens. He has judged cocktail competitions in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Dubai and here in Australia.

Ash launched the T25 Bartender Awards in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai before bringing the awards to Australia in 2015.

Loy Catada

Loy Catada is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning bartender who has managed some of the best bars in Sydney, Australia. He has been a brand ambassador for Bacardi Martini Australia Brands for over 10 years and considered one of the most influential hospitality talents in the industry.

Loy has mentored many hospitality professionals including all past Bacardi Legacy winners in Australia with exceptional results at the global stage: Australia have placed top 8 in the world 6 times and 3 times in the top 3.

An award-winning bartender himself earlier in his bartending career, some of Loy’s accolades include: • 2-time World Cocktail Flair Champion • First ever IBA World Champion in Flair • 7 times Australian National Cocktail Flair Champion

Danilo Migliorini

Danilo Migliorini is the Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador for Disaronno and Tia Maria, a role he began after 3 years’ experience working in one of Australia’s most iconic bars: Eau de Vie. It was here that he cultivated his passion for the cocktail industry and honed his skills crafting unique infusions. First visiting Australia in 2014 on holiday, the vibrant cocktail culture took him by surprise, and ever since he’s been unable to leave.

Fred Siggins

Fred Siggins is Brand Manager for the Mighty Craft spirits portfolio and a 20+ year veteran in the hospitality and drinks industry. Over the years, he has worked as a bartender, manager, chef, brand ambassador and spirits educator. His articles on drinks culture can be regularly found in both national and international publications and he is both a judge and panel chair at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards and Drink Easy.

Hayley Morison

Hayley ‘Milkshakes’ Morison is the Beam Suntory Trade Advocacy Manager in charge of The Blend program. With nearly 20 years in the industry, she has worked in venues all over the globe, including Canada, Hong Kong, London, Jakarta and Sydney. Hayley is also the current Asia Pacific Co-Chair for Tales of the Cocktail and was ranked 9th in Australia in the Bartender Magazine’s list of Most Influential Bartenders.

Gorge Camorra

Gorge Camorra has 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry and is the owner of four separate venues: the award-winning 18th Amendment bar Geelong, 18th Amendment bar Ballarat, Manhattan Bar Geelong, and the soon to open Non Disclosure bar in Geelong.

Gorge has represented Australia many times in international cocktail competitions and hosts the successful YouTube channel “Let’s Talk Drinks.”

Alice Newport

Alice Newport is the Brand Specialist for Pernod Ricard in charge of their gin, agave, and craft spirits portfolio. She brings over 15 years of experience to events, venues and marketing and has an undeniable love and passion for all things hospitality.

Stuart Reeves | Brand Manager, Scotch & Irish Whiskies portfolio Stuart Reeves has been involved in the drinks industry for 24 years and now works for BrownForman, stewarding their brand portfolio with a focus on their Scotch and Irish whiskey collection in Australia. He started his hospitality career in the United Kingdom before moving to Sydney in the early 2000’s, and since then has worked in a variety of roles.