Pleasure Club’s Jake Down has been named Australia’s 2024 Bartender of the Year and will go on to represent the country at the global finals in Shanghai.
The program, run by Diageo, is now in its 15th year, with leading bartenders participating in a series of rounds for their chance to snag the title.
Down competed against five other finalists for this year including James Irvine from Merivale, Sydney; Matt Bodycote from State Buildings, Perth; Rohan Massie from Rude Boy, Hobart; Shirley Yeung from Foxtrot, Perth; and Tom Opie from The Waratah, Sydney.
The bar talents completed three challenges on 27 May covering the Malt Maximalism Challenge, which saw bartenders reimagine traditional whisky serves and the Paint the Town Ruby Challenge which revolved around using Johnnie Walker Black Ruby.
The Check On! Challenge was the final round and required bartenders to create six classic cocktails in six minutes using Diageo’s Reserve portfolio.
Opie took out the Malt Maximalism segment, Down won the Paint the Town Ruby Challenge, and Massie took out the Check On! Challenge.
This year saw the introduction of a new category – The Bartender’s Bartender – a peer-nominated award that was given to Irvine.
Down will soon represent Australia at the global finals held in Shanghai from 9-13 September, which will see 50 bartenders compete in multi-format events.
“The competition has exposed me to some of the best bartenders in the industry, allowing me to learn and grow alongside incredible talent,” says Down.
“I’m honoured to be part of our incredible hospitality community and I can’t wait to represent Australia in September at the global finals.”
