The search is on to find New Zealand's Best Bartender

Flair, creativity and a splash of daring will be on display, as the top bartending talent from all over New Zealand compete in the 2011 Bar Masters. Sponsored by MONIN and run as part of the Restaurant and Bar Show, the competition will be fierce as the best of the best battle to take out the Bar Masters title on Monday July 18th and Tuesday July 19th, held in Auckland at the ASB Showgrounds.

“We are very excited to be incorporating this new bartending competition into the Restaurant and Bar Show,” said Brand Events & Festivals GM, Rob Eliott. “Thanks to Monin we will be treating the winner to an all expenses paid trip to Malaysia; the winning cocktail will also be promoted during the Rugby World Cup which is fantastic recognition for the winner. The Bar Masters competition is just what the bar industry needs to get them amped up for the busy months ahead!” he said.

The Bar Masters special guest and event MC is Tomas Vikario from MONIN. Croatian born Tomas is MONIN’s Beverage Innovation Manager and has a wealth of bartending and bar managing experience in some of Croatia’s top bars. “The Bar Masters competition is a great way to showcase the fantastic local talent in the NZ bar scene,” says Vikario. “I am excited to work with them to utilise the versatility of MONIN products to create their master pieces!”

Throughout June, the public will be able to vote for their favourite bartenders on the Bar Masters Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/barmasters. The top 12 contestants who will compete live at the Bar Masters event will be announced on Friday 1st July.

These 12 outstanding bartenders will be vying to win an amazing prize from MONIN … a three-day all expenses paid trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the winning bartender, including return flights, accommodation, meals and transfers! While in Kuala Lumpur, the winner will visit the MONIN factory, receive exclusive MONIN training and of course experience the very best MONIN bars in Kuala Lumpur, including the stunning Skybar at the Trade Hotel.

“It is amazing to see how much the bar and cocktail scene has developed across New Zealand” adds Vikario. “I am really impressed by the standards and the passion for bartending. It has spread across this amazing country.”

The 2011 Bar Masters competition is definitely going to be an exciting highlight of the Restaurant and Bar show. For terms, conditions and registration details, head to www.randbshow.co.nz

COMPETITION DAY
Date: Monday 18 July, 2011
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: ASB Showgrounds, Auckland

FINALS
Date: Tuesday 19 July, 2011
Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Venue: ASB Showgrounds, Auckland

Bartenders can register at www.randbshow.co.nz

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For more information, contact;
Rob Eliott, General Manager, Brand Events & Festivals New Zealand; RobEliott@befestivals.co.nz; Ph: (021) 677 739
Paul Blomfield, Public Relations Consultant; paul@paulblomfield.com; Ph: (021) 970 871

About Brand Events & Festivals New Zealand
Brand Events Festivals Ltd is a subsidiary of the UK based Brand Events Ltd, organisers of international festivals such as Top Gear Live and Taste Festivals. More information at www.befestivals.co.nz or contact Robert Eliott on 09 531 5524.