Nikka begins the search for Australia’s Perfect Serve

Entries are now open for the Nikka Perfect Serve competition, which searches for Australia’s best all-round bartender skilled in cocktail creation, service, attention to detail, and versatility.

With Nikka Whisky celebrating its 90th birthday this year, contestants are asked to imagine what cocktail they would create for Nikka Whisky Founder Masataka Taketsura, or his wife, Scottish-Japanese businesswoman Rita Taketsura.

Of the recipes submitted, 10 finalists will be chosen to participate in the Australian Nikka Perfect Serve finals, held at Brisbane’s Before + After in August. There, each finalist will run a 15-minute guest shift for the judges, demonstrating both their cocktail-making skills and customer service abilities.

Nikka Brand Ambassador Marcus Parmenter said that the Nikka Perfect Serve competition reflects the values that underpin traditional Japanese customer service.

“It’s run Omakase-style, which means ‘I leave it to you’, allowing contestants to showcase their versatility and talent. The competition’s core principle is ichi-go, ichi-e, one chance one encounter. This is a core concept of bartending as well, and we look forward to seeing the bartenders showcase their understanding of this principle.

“We’ve chosen Brisbane for this year’s competition because the quality of bars and bartenders continues to grow there each year. Brisbane has all the ingredients of a perfect serve on its own,” he said.

The winner of the Australian final will represent Australia at the Nikka Perfect Serve global final, which will be held in Paris in December. The global winner and runner-up will be invited to Japan to tour the Nikka distilleries and experience the vibrant Tokyo bar scene.

Submissions can be made on the Nikka Whisky website. Entries close on 17 July.