In a heady mix of liquor, creativity, and camaraderie, Australia found its Bartender of the Year for 2023. The top spot was clinched by Eduardo Conde from El Primo Sanchez, Sydney, in the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition. Conde will now represent the nation in the highly-anticipated Global Finals in Brazil this September.

Sydney’s iconic El Primo Sanchez bar, located in the upscale Paddington area, was a hub of activity and excitement on Tuesday, 27th June 2023, as the nation’s top five bartenders participated in a spirited competition for the prestigious title. The bustling day they concluded with Eduardo Conde from the Maybe Sammy team seizing the spotlight at the final round.

The competition, a thrilling spectacle of mixology, unfolded across multiple cocktail challenges at various locations in central Sydney. Conde’s triumph came over the leading finalists Alex Gondzioulis from Liquid & Larder, Sydney, Lachlan Gunner of Sourtrap, Adelaide, Andie Bulley from Savile Row, Brisbane, and Rohan Massie from Rude Boy, Hobart.

Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label.

The competition featured three rounds of cocktail crafting. The first involved concocting a modern, sophisticated drink capturing the unique character of Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label. The second round highlighted the famed Don Julio 1942 tequila, leading to innovative serves that turned high-end tequila preconceptions on their head. The final round was a mystery challenge using Bundaberg Small Batch Rum from Diageo’s award-winning Reserve portfolio, where finalists had to swiftly serve five cocktails in five minutes, demonstrating both their skills and creative flair.

Conde’s ingenuity shone through as he crafted an exceptional array of cocktails, including an Old Fashioned with a twist featuring papaya and lemon geranium, influenced by his Mexican heritage. For the Don Julio 1942 round, he put a unique spin on a Paloma using cumquat and mandarin, capturing the vibrant energy of nightclubs in his hometown, Mexico City. During the final speed round, he managed to whip up five impressive cocktails in mere minutes.

On his victory, an ecstatic Conde stated, “Competing in the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition this year has been such an amazing experience. I am incredibly grateful to be part of this tight-knit hospitality community and am proud of being able to represent Australia on the global stage this September. Bring on the finals!”

Mexican-born Conde, who has been residing in Australia for almost a decade, is the esteemed bar manager at Maybe Group’s El Primo Sanchez. His unique drink style, characterised by the use of local flavours in innovative ways, has been a game-changer in the industry.

The excitement around Conde’s victory continues to build as he prepares for the Diageo World Class global final in Sao Paolo, Brazil, from the 24th to the 28th of September. Competing alongside 50 other bartending talents from around the globe, including the United States, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom, Conde is set to showcase Australian mixology on the global stage.

Diageo National Trade Advocacy Manager Kate McGraw shared her excitement about the event: “Each year, I am blown away by the sheer talent from the competitors entering World Class, and this year was no different. The 2023 competition has revealed a fascinating landscape of Australian bartending with cocktails championing sustainability and telling the stories of local communities through unexpected and innovative ingredients and techniques.”

McGraw continued, “All five of the finalists gave it their all, but there could be only one Australian World Class Bartender of the Year. I’m so excited to see Eduardo Conde represent Australia in the global finals and show the world what we are made of!”

Please visit the official Diageo Bar Academy website for more information about the competition and its global finals.

Written by: Bridget Gomez

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