THE PERFECT BLEND ALUMNI DINNER

COME AS A FRIEND, LEAVE AS FAMILY THE PERFECT BLEND ALUMNI DINNER

SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2015, THE PERFECT BLEND COCKTAIL COMPETITION HAS SEEN MORE THAN 300 FINALISTS TAKE TO THE STAGE; MANY COMPETING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, OTHERS RETURNING TO THE COMPETITION STAGE FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT. WE INVITED THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF OUR FAMILY FROM THE BEGINNING TO AN EVENT LIKE NO OTHER.

WORDS BY HAYLEY MORISON

During BARWEEK, 120 bartenders who were finalists from 2015 – 2019, reunited, under one roof. A dinner was held in honor of the alumni hosted at Sydney’s, Riley Street Garage. Over dinner, guests were treated to some delicious cocktails created by previous Grand Prize winners Ollie Margan, Kurtis Bosley, Tim Pope, Max Giudice, Tim Laferla, and our BOTW 2020 partner, Lyaness. The alumni shared laughs, anecdotes, and were treated to some personalised messages from Fred Noe, 7th generation Master Distiller, as well as a nostalgic recap of The Perfect Blend journey from the very beginning.

The Perfect Blend is an industry cocktail competition that is more than just the drink contestants create and submit. individual talent and being part of a passionate community; a community of like-minded people ardently dedicating their time to the industry.

The Perfect Blend is a platform that encompasses education from global and local mentors and our very own Brand Ambassadors. It challenges personal development and growth and offers experiences and adventures that may not cross a bartender’s ‘everyday’ path.

If you haven’t entered a competition before and the thought sends you into hyperventilation, grabbing the closest paper bag, two incredible competitors from the past few years share their personal experiences. It may make you rethink your capabilities. And the opportunities that await.

TIM POPE

APPRENTICE VIC

I was fortunate to win the Grand Final, Apprentice Category, 2018. As part of The Perfect Blend, my personal highlight, (aside from the fantastic trip to America, Kentucky to visit the home of bourbon, as well as Tales of the Cocktail) would be my first time on stage competing. As a first-timer, what should have been a very stressful and nerve-wracking experience was fun and relaxed due to the support of The Blend team and Ambassadors. I competed with the best mind-set and delivered my best performance. The Blend has been the first stepping stone of my career as a professional bartender and gave me the confidence to take on peers and bring my bartending to a level I thought out of reach.

Tim Pope Savannah Williams

SAVANNAH WILLIAMS

APPRENTICE QLD

The Blend program has skyrocketed my bartending career and my confidence in my bartending abilities. I went from a competent bartender with a little bit of knowledge in each field, to now being nominated for Rookie of the Year 2019, placing me in the Top 25 Bartenders in Australia, and a Grand Final competitor in The Perfect Blend 2019. I now have strong networks with brand ambassadors that are not just professional relationships but lifelong friendships. It helped me clarify what I wanted out of this industry and how I could succeed with the help of the networks I created along the way. I have The Blend program and the people involved to thank for their love, support and encouragement.

I would 110 per cent recommend entering The Perfect Blend, just for the experience alone. The knowledge and professional networks you gain are invaluable as well as presentation experience that can enhance your everyday involvement with customers behind the bar. It gives you a sense of confidence knowing that you’ve presented before and you can do it again with more knowledge to back yourself than you’ve ever had.

Turn to page 50 to see who made the 2020 Regional Finalist line up.

The Alumni event will be back during next year’s BARWEEK.