Conde of Paddington’s El Primo Sanchez and the Maybe Sammy team has taken out the top spot this week in the national finals.
Conde will now represent Australia in September at the World Class Global Finals in Brazil.
“Competing in the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition this year has been such an amazing experience,” says Conde.
“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!”
The bartender battled it out against his fellow top five finalists Alex Gondzioulis (Liquid & Larder, Sydney), Lachlan Gunner (Sourtrap, Adelaide), Andie Bulley (Savile Row, Brisbane), and Rohan Massie (Rude Boy, Hobart).
The final included three, head-to-head rounds where bartenders crafted their own cocktails using spirits from Diageo’s portfolio.
For the first Johnnie Walker Blue Label round, Conde created a twist on an Old Fashioned, with papaya and lemon geranium.
He then crafted a modern Paloma using cumquat and mandarin for the second Don Julio 1942 round.
The final round saw each finalist presented a mystery box 30 minutes prior to the challenge, where they were tasked with making five serves within five minutes.
“All five of the finalists gave it their all, but there could be only one Australian World Class Bartender of the Year,” says Diageo National Trade Advocacy Manager Kate McGraw.
“I’m so excited to see Eduardo Conde represent Australia in the global finals and show the world what we are made of!”