Bartenders Battle for National Flair Title

Media release
30 August 2007

Bartenders Battle for National Flair Title

Art, skill, entertainment and exotic cocktail ingredients will mix at the hospitality industry’s premier trade event HospitalityNZ Show on Monday (September 3) as the nation’s best bartenders battle it out for the title of New Zealand Flair Bartending Champion.

Combining flair and entertainment with knowledge of cocktails and exceptional customer service, the winner will represent New Zealand at the World Flair Championships at the famous Roadhouse Bar in London.

Entertaining as well as challenging, the national competition will put the country’s most talented cocktail makers through their paces.

The competition is the brainchild of Karaitiana Wall or Karai — New Zealand’s version of Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail.

“There was no recognised national competition that challenged bartenders in a way that combined their technical, customer service and entertainment skills, so we wanted to bring together an event that challenged them and was enjoyable for onlookers,“ says Karai who runs Flairblacks International cocktail training academy and will be overseeing the events.

“The regional events will select 15 of the best bartenders in the country,” he says. “There’s a lot of skill that goes in to bartending, like making customers feel welcome, service with a smile, speed and product knowledge, as well as making great cocktails.

“Flair bartending combines art and science in a uniquely entertaining mix — much like a good cocktail!”

Hamilton was the first of five regional events held earlier this month and the winner of that event was Duncan Crilley from Tauranga's Astrolab Bar. Lisandro Walsfisch took out the Wellington regional competition showcasing amazing skills including multiple bottle and shakers flying through the air and exceptional cocktail making skills. Winners from Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington, Whangarei and Auckland will compete against each other in the national semi finals at the HospitalityNZ Bar Show in Auckland 2 – 4 September.

They will show off their unique mix of skills to hospitality industry suppliers, restaurateurs and bar owners who will be attending HospitalityNZ, the trade show that encompasses the NZ Bar Show and is the country’s biggest hospitality event.

A grand final celebrating the supreme winner will be held at Auckland’s SkyCity’s Bar 3 immediately after the national semi finals on Monday 3 September.

11 Confirmed Competitors for semi final event at HospitalityNZ:
- Duncan Crilley - Astrolab - Tauranga
- Brad Gibson - PBRS - Auckland
- Sean Murray - Kremlin Bar - Hamilton
- Lisandro Walfisch - PBRS - Wellington
- Beany C - Sixth Sense - Auckland
- Say H - Sixth Sense - Auckland
- Kingi Tauroa - Alamo Bar and Grill - Auckland
- Andy Ruzich - Bar3 SkyCity - Auckland
- Anthony Rima - Bar3 SkyCity - Auckland
- Brian Keating - Indochine - Christchurch
- Zac Washer - Whangarei

ENDS

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