Ready Steady Shake aims to find the best bartender in Queenstown and launches tomorrow night at Debajo.
Queenstown Resort College hospitality management tutor Paul Tudgay and Amisfield Wine Company bistro manager Tom Macaulay will judge eight bartenders on the taste, balance and innovation of their cocktails.
Tomorrow night will see Neal Otter, of Bar Up, versus Jeremy Stevens, of Bardeaux, who were given a bottle of South Gin and a week to practise creating the ultimate gin fizz with a twist, Debajo owner Jason Clark says.
"It's all about flamboyance, flair and humour."
Competitors have 10 minutes to produce their drink.
A bartender will be eliminated each week and the other will go through to the semifinal and the grand final, on July 1.
Cocktails and contestants to come are: Caioiroska round: Connor Sainsbury Canham, of Debajo, versus Ronnie Apiata, of Subculture.
Mai Tai round: Mic Browne, of the Botswana Butchery, versus Venetia Tiarks, of Skybar.
Margarita: Nathan Gittins, of Eichardt's Private Hotel, versus Richard Bisdee, of Bar Up.
Ready Steady Shake, Debajo, Thursday, May 20, 7pm to 10pm.
