Hunt for Pilsner Urquell Master Beertender underway
Beer brand Pilsner Urquell has named the 10 finalists in its prestigious UK Master Bartender of the Year programme.
The finalists will go forward for a series of mini interviews, face tests on the history of the Czech brand and be judged on its Perfect Pour technique in a bid to be crowned UK champion.
The winner will then go on to represent the UK in a global competition along with 17 bartenders from around the world in the final in Berlin.
Gillian Loudon, from Pilsner Urquell, said: "Quality, passion and dedication are just some of the elements that go in to creating Pilsner Urquell. These are attributes that we are looking for in a winner and we believe that our 10 finalists have demonstrated that through the first stage of this competition.
"As the Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender, we are looking for a person with high service standards, a commitment to quality and someone who displays the professional attributes required to represent the UK in a global arena."
The finalists are :
• Dick Atlee, The Wheatsheaf, Newcastle
• Howard Bryant, ha ha bar & grill, Milton Keynes
• Matthew Burke, ha ha bar & grill, Birmingham
• Arkadinusz Danielski, Urban Beach Hotel, Bournemouth
• Tom Foxwell, The Loft, Clapham High Street
• Carlos Laverello, The Hilary Step, Whalley Range
• Chris Milner, Browns, Leeds
• Paul McCarthy, The Brewery Tap, Leeds
• Barry Oates, ha ha bar & grill, Birmingham
• Kelly Speed, The Brewery Tap, Leeds
In addition to being crowned Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender of the Year, the winning bartender will also win a special VIP trip to three of Pilsner Urquell's export markets to experience the beer's far reaching popularity.
The current International Master Bartender is currently UK bartender, Danny Walker.
