Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge Oceania Final
Hobart bartender Rohan Massie won the Oceania final of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge last night.
Massie, who is venue manager at Rude Boy, was up against five other bartenders from Australia and New Zealand on Monday night at Smoke Bar at Barangaroo in Sydney.
Massie said: “I can’t believe it. The competition was so tough, I was certain one of the others would get it. Full respect to everyone else but man, it feels great to win! It’s a tough comp this one; you only get seven minutes to make two cocktails and because it’s all about the quality of your drinks and your chat, there’s nowhere to hide. I’m truly humbled.”
Head Judge Dan Gregory, who is the previous winner and Australian Brand Ambassador, said: “Any of tonight’s competitors would have done us proud at the global finalists in Trinidad. I’m looking forward to see how Rohan goes. His drinks were first class and his presentation was flawless. I think he could stand a good chance of taking out the global title.
Rohan’s rum cocktail “Doctor’s Orders” included Angostura 5 Year Old Rum, basil leaves, strawberry cordial, mandarin juice, coconut milk, fresh lime juice and Angostura orange bitters.
His Amaro cocktail “Hidden Perfection” featured Amaro di Angostura, sparkling banana wine, beetroot soda, parsley tincture and Angostura orange bitters.
Second place in the Oceania final of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge went to Andrea Marseglia from Madame George in Auckland with Taylor Matthews from Beneath Driver Lane in Melbourne taking out third. The other three finalists competing were Campbell Nichol, also from Rude Boy in Hobart; Storm Evans from Cobbler in Brisbane and Jordan Davies from Los Banditos in Wellington.