The top ten bartenders from Mast-Jaegermeister UK’s Meister Hunter competition are set to compete in a Zoom final on 18 June, with a highlight reel available to view on social media.
This year’s Meister Hunter competition was developed in efforts to support bartenders who are currently out of work due to the Covid-19 pandemic, offering them the opportunity to do what they do best and win a host of prizes.
The finalists announced are Benji Davies of Little Mercies, London; Tatjana Sendzimir of Fam Bar, London; Matthew Ball of Papillon, Liverpool; Ryan Snedden of Tigerlily, Edinburgh; Tomislav Pandza of Fumo, Birmingham; Cai Anderson formerly of Brick House Social, Manchester; Stevie Kane of Baccarat Bar in Harrods, London; Hannah Lockett of Petit Café Du Coin, Liverpool; Bianca Hajanal of 200 Degrees, Nottingham; and Andrew Meltzer of Happiness Forgets, London.
The top ten will now be competing for £5,000 worth of prizes, with first place taking home £3,000, second place £1,500 and third place £500.
The 2020 Meister Hunter final is themed around enhancing the cocktail experience at home whilst considering the spirit of Jägermeister.
Finalists will be tasked with remaking the cocktail they entered the competition with, but there is a twist. As delivery of food, alcohol and cocktails has become the new normal, bartenders will be challenged to create a home delivery cocktail experience to the competition judges.
Each contestant will be sent a set of boxes – one for each judge, two glass bottles, packaging material and a bottle each of Jägermeister, Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee and Jägermeister Manifest. They will also be given a budget of £40 to use towards their final creation.
The bartenders will need to bring to life the inspiration and story behind their cocktail, giving judges an at-home experience that they would normally expect when sitting at the bar. They will be scored on taste, box experience and each bartender’s overall Zoom presentation and performance.
Mast-Jaegermeister UK brand ambassador, Florian Beuren said: “Meister Hunter took a different approach this year and developed a digital competition to support bartenders during these uncertain times.
“This was important to us as we wanted to support the trade whilst out of work and give them an outlet to flex their skills.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with the response and the creativity and expertise showcased by those who entered.
“Narrowing it down to ten finalists has been challenging, but we are really looking forward to seeing what happens on the day of the final and welcoming another member to the Jägermeister family.”
A highlight reel of the final will be available on Jägermeister’s social media channels.
