Whether you’re stirred by a martini or shaken by margaritas, WA bars have a cocktail for all tastes. And bartenders from Perth and further afield will put their skills to the test this month with the inaugural WA’s Best Cocktail Competition.
Launched by the Australian Hotels Association alongside Don Julio Tequila, the cocktail quest will see more than 40 venues stretching from Wanneroo to Bremer Bay battling for the prestigious title.
The competition is open now with five finalists being announced on June 9. A mix-off in front of a live audience at the Hospitality Expo at Crown Perth on June 27 will decided who wins bragging rights for the State’s best cocktail in 2023.
The drink doesn’t have to use tequila, with Margaret River’s Rhum Burgundy bar entering a Cup of Concrete, presumably a drink for those needing to harden up. Meanwhile, city dive bar Foxtrot Unicorn has conjured a Fingerlime Breakfast Martini and the University of WA Tavern a mouth-puckering Watermelon Warhead.
Four venues in the State Buildings have put forward cocktails, with Long Chim’s Taz Naeem getting fruity with Wow Mango and Petition Beer Corner’s Jordan Cavanagh offering a short, punchy Cold Break Kid.
State Buildings’ bar operations manager Matt Bodycote has also whipped up the tall red Beets by Mary for Petition Kitchen plus the stunning Starflower for Cape Arid Rooms.
AHA chief Bradley Woods says the cocktail comp follows a similar model and motivation to the association’s annual WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition.
“WA’s hospitality scene has matured remarkably over the past two decades and with this (content) we have seen an incredible array of high-quality cocktails emerge in venues across Perth and regional WA,” he said.
“As is the case with the famous WA’s Best Steak Sandwich Competition, the real winners from the competition are the patrons, who can enjoy delicious cocktails that truly raise the bar.”
We see what you did there, Bradley. Visit hospitalitywa.com.au to vote for your favourite cocktail (and steak sandwich). Voters go into the draw to win a $500 voucher to spend at an AHA member venue.
BIG NIGHT OUT FOR KURT
North Fremantle restaurant Propeller, which closed in April, will reopen one more time in support of head chef Kurt Sampson.
In sad news, the New Zealand-born chef was recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease, dashing his family’s dreams of starting their own venture.
Former Propeller chefs will return for a fundraiser on June 10 to raise funds for Sampson and the MND Association of WA.
Expect magical dishes, drinks to flow from the bar and tunes to fill the dance floor from 6.30pm to 11.30pm.
Tickets are $200 all-inclusive per person. If you are unable to attend but wish to help out, Propeller has launched a GoFundMe page for Sampson, who has long wanted to take his family back to New Zealand for an extended holiday.
Sampson began his culinary career in Auckland, before working at Greg Malouf’s O’Connell’s and MoMo in Melbourne and then Pata Negra and Propeller in Perth.
WINNERS, GRINNERS
Boundary Island Brewery, King Road and Margaret River Brewhouse flew the flag for WA at the Australian International Beer Awards, held in Melbourne on May 25.
North Ballarat’s Dollar Bill took out the prestigious title of champion Australian beer for their Candy Paint 2023 Barrel Aged Sour Ale, one of 36 trophies dished out at the annual gongs.
While established breweries, such as Deeds, Garage Project, Mountain Goat and Philter, picked up awards, Mandurah-based newcomer Boundary Island Brewery earned the Gary Sheppard Memorial Trophy for best new exhibitor.
King Road Brewing Co. won best Australian-style lager for its lager bittered with classic Australian hop Pride of Ringwood, making it back-to-back wins at the AIBAs for this crispy boi. King Road also scored a gong for its IPA in 2021.
Margaret River Brewhouse triumphed in the category for best British or European-style ale for its kolsch, an easy-drinking German-style ale.