The 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup 2010 kicks off its New Zealand campaign on December 20th, which is less than a week away. Bartenders of New Zealand, it's time to get your act together and get ready to take on the best the world can throw at you.
On December 20 we start taking entries for the competition, and then entries close Feb 5th. Get thinking about that signature cocktail now that will take you to the top of your game.
Here's a timeline of how this year's competition will unfold:
- 20th December 2009 – Entries open for New Zealand. Get on-line & submit that master piece!
- 5th February 2010 – Entries for the New Zealand rehearsal close.
- 6th February 2010 – The New Zealand entries will be compiled and checked by our panel of experts.
- 8th February 2010 – All qualifying entries will be prepared and served following your instructions and presented to our judging panel. So, make sure you are very clear and concise when entering your cocktail. Should your cocktail involve an individual product that may be difficult to find or you have created yourself please note this at the time of entry. One of the judges will contact you and ask for a sample to be supplied. The judges will be looking at various components of your cocktail. They will be appraising each cocktail out of a possible 42 points:
- Successful marriage of ingredients (/6)
- Complex & unusual flavours used (/4)
- Cocktail has a pleasant & inviting aroma & texture (/6)
- The cocktail can be & deserves to be enjoyed across the globe (/4)
- Cocktail is inviting & visually appealing (/6)
- Garnishes (if any) are well designed & matched (/2)
- Name (if any) evokes the flavours & experience (/6)
- Overall Impression (/8)
- 10th February 2010 – The judges will notify the top 15 entries of their success and notify them to expect a visit.
- 11th,12th & 13th February 2010 – The top 15 can expect a visit from our judges at their bar. Each will be given the opportunity to present their entry in person to the judges and demonstrate overall bar skills & personality – this is a rock ‘n’ roll tour after all. Basically we need to know you are good at your job!
- 15th February 2010 – Then there was 10. Upon completion of the in-market visits the judges will select 10 finalists. The 10 will be invited to compete for a place on the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup New Zealand team for 2010. The competition will occur in Wellington on the 21st February 2010.
- 21st February 2010 – 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup New Zealand Team selection competition, Wellington, New Zealand. The selected ‘rock ‘n’ rollers’ will travel to Wellington and compete in a 2 stage competition:
- Stage 1) Bar test – a generic bartending test that identifies knowledge of 42BELOW, Cocktails, Spirits & New Zealand liquor laws (Approximately 20 questions – value 25pts)
- Stage 2) Cocktail Competition – a final chance to present & impress the judges with your cocktail in a competition environment (the rules of which will be presented to the 10 finalists upon notification of entry). (75pts)
The top three scores from the competition finals day will be crowned the Kiwi Rock ‘n’ Rollers of 2010 & invited to represent New Zealand at the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup 2010 held March 22nd – 28th, 2010.
