Bar Liberty’s Nick Tesar has been announced as this year’s winner of the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year 2022 competition.
The Melbourne-based bartender took home the title after competing in multiple cocktail challenges alongside fellow finalists Samuel Cocks (Bar Rogue, WA), Sarah Proietti (Maybe Sammy, NSW), Eduardo Conde (No.92 GPR, NSW) and Kayla Saito (Black Pearl,VIC).
The top five competitors were tasked to complete three whiskey-focused challenges including The Icons of Sydney featuring Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the Speed Round with brands from the Diageo Reserve portfolio and the Into the Wild Mystery Box featuring Talisker.
Tesar notably crafted a cumquat concoction inspired by local produce for the Talisker challenge.
He then went on to produce 12 cocktails in 5 minutes during the speed round which was almost double the amount of the other finalists.
Tesar will now join 55 other global contestants in the international competition which is set to be held in Sydney for the first time from 9-18 September 2022.
“Competing in the Diageo World Class Australian Bartender competition this year has been such an amazing experience,” says Tesar.
“I am incredibly grateful to be part of this tight-knit hospitality community and I am proud of being able to represent Australia on the global stage this September.”
At Bar Liberty Tesar is known for championing local produce and is also one of the co-founders of Marionette Liqueurs which collaborates with local farms.
