On Monday April 14, at Isla Cantina, a select group of Gold Coast bartenders will go head-to-head in a mystery box-style cocktail competition. Here, we catch up with organiser Matt Barnett from Manly Spirits-Co to get the lowdown on the face-off – and what makes the Gold Coast’s bar scene so unique.
How did the idea for this competition come about?
It was actually a bartender who approached me to host a cocktail competition with Manly Spirits-co. After asking around to see if there was interest, it was obvious that the demand was there.
I’ve hosted a few different cocktail competitions during my career – some on a national level and some international (including Brookie’s Gin, Gin Mare and the Suntory Cup). Competitions are fun! They bring the industry together.
Most competitions are very structured and require bartenders to jump through many hoops that are set from big international brands. The prizes are big, like international travel, but so are the demands from the brands – often over several months. This competition breaks down the barriers to make it more of an even playing field.
Being a mystery box challenge, bartenders will be given a box of ingredients and ten minutes to come up with their best tasting cocktail to present to the judges and the crowd.
What has the process of pulling it all together been like? The highs, the lows, the surprises?
It’s been a fun process planning with the team at Edgewater Dining and Isla Cantina. I’ve had the concept in mind for a little while, but I became especially keen after seeing other brands in the market doing the same thing year after year. When I shared this idea with Edgewater team, they were super keen to get on board.
Creating a theme or concept is a good place to start, and a good reward for winning is always well received [the winner of Monday’s competition will score a luxury stay at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove]. Putting yourself out there after all the hard work and preparation, only to get minimal response from bartenders to enter, is a low. But it’s a huge high to hear from bartenders who are super excited to get amongst it and compete – especially those who haven’t ever competed before. That’s awesome to see!
Why is the Gold Coast the perfect place for a competition like this?
The Gold Coast bar scene is booming. In the past few years so many new, quality venues have opened, attracting equally talented bartenders to service them. Most competitions happen in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, but the regional areas have great talent – they just don’t have the opportunity to showcase them in a competition.
What is it about our hospitality scene – particularly, our bar scene – that’s so unique?
I think it’s the lifestyle, and the cultural diversity the lifestyle and the region attract, that makes this scene unique. There’s also the talent and creativity of the bartenders and venue owners that live here – they craft the exciting new venue designs and creative spaces. Plus, the amazing quality of the local ingredients that are available to venues.
What challenges do local bartenders typically face? And how can we overcome them?
One of the challenges I see in the industry is the price of alcohol, especially spirits, which keeps thanks to the excise tax increasing every six months. You can now expect to pay $22 for a cocktail in most bars and restaurants. Some bartenders find it challenging to find inspiration and learn new cocktail trends. I would encourage them to taste as many cocktails as they can – even travelling to other cities – and chatting with the bartenders that make them.
What do you hope the entrants get out of this competition? And how about the audience?
I’m hoping we bring the industry together for some healthy competition, while also giving people some inspiration for new cocktails flavours and techniques. I’m also excited to showcase the talent we have here on the gold Coast – it’s not just found in the big cities.
It can be a bit intimidating to get behind the bar to make a drink when all eyes are on you, so hopefully it helps to improve the bartenders’ skills and professionalism, in a fun environment. I hope the audience appreciates the challenge for the bartenders, and that everyone makes lots of noise to cheer them on.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m hoping we see some delicious cocktails, some creative techniques and exciting flavour combinations. I’m also excited about creating a fun inclusive environment by removing some of the pretention from other cocktail competitions.
Don’t miss Manly Spirits-Co’s Cocktail Comp, taking place on Monday April 14 at Isla Cantina on Via Roma. It’s a 5pm start, and you’ll be able to enjoy a DJ, door prizes, industry price food and drinks and, of course, the exciting competition. Click here to RSVP.
