World Class National Bartender Winner Announced

With a strong showing of Auckland bartenders, it was Jason Clark, representing Wellington's Bettys and Hummingbird bars that will be jetting off to the Mediterranean to compete for the title of World Class Bartender after winning the inaugural Diageo Reserve World Class National Final on a stormy Monday night at the sophisticated Auckland venue, 1885.

After a day competing in three set challenges, Clark took the top prize in the face of tough competition against five other finalists from Queenstown, Wanaka and Auckland. Those finalists were Barney Toy of Rakinos, James Goggin of The Food Store, Cam Timmins of Fukuko, all in Auckland, Mikey Ball of the Naughty Penguin in Queenstown and Shannon Sanderson of Lalaland in Wanaka.

All six finalists completed a series of challenges beginning in November, when monthly trials found their bartending skills and business acumen tested against 14 other competitors, culminating in Monday's national final for the top-ranking entrants.

The Wellington bartender impressed judges with skills demonstrated throughout the day, finishing with the creation of his signature cocktail – 'Kissed By Marilyn'. Exciting to hear that he will be relocating his skills up to Auckland very shortly to head up a new bar in the near future.

Check out the photos below of the final cocktails presented at 1885 + enter in the draw to win a bottle of Tanqueray 10 gin valued at RRP $109.99. Simply enter in your details at the bottom of the article to go in the draw.

With five out of the six entries using Tanqueray 10 as their first choice base when making their cocktails at the event, it only makes sense that we have one of these to giveaway to one lucky Concrete Playground reader. Simply enter your details below to go in the draw.

Note: Must be over the age of 18 to win. ID will be required upon receiving of the prize. Winners will be drawn on Tuesday, 4 June 2013.