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Patrón Perfectionists launches 2023 edition

Global cocktail competition Patrón Perfectionists is returning for its eighth year, complete with a new bartender education and engagement programme.

Harrison Kenney was named the Patrón Perfectionists 2022 winner

The entry challenge for Patrón Perfectionists 2023, called Hometown Hero, was launched today (1 September). The challenge requires entrants to develop a cocktail that blends Patrón Silver Tequila with the bartender’s local culture, using ingredients from a prescribed list.

The initial entry submissions will be judged on appeal, appearance, inspiration, and originality, with entries closing on 7 October.

Lauren Mote, global manager of programme excellence for Patrón Tequila, said: “Over the years, this programme has brought an invaluable contribution to the category thanks to the advocacy of bartenders creating and sharing outstanding Patrón recipes around the globe.

“These are the bartenders that we are lucky enough to call our Patrón familia and we cannot wait to welcome many more.”

In addition to broadening the competition’s reach, which will now see 19 countries and cruise liners take part, Patrón has extended its long-standing commitment to inspire and support bartenders in growing their skillset with the launch of Academia Patrón Perfectionists Education Program.

From today until the competition close date, bartenders will be invited to attend Academia Patrón Perfectionists, made of three virtual sessions and workshops hosted by leading personalities from the drinks and restaurant industry, alongside other educational initiatives hosted locally.

Focusing on flavours, ingredients, techniques, and topical trends in the Tequila category and in mixology, the Academia Patrón Perfectionists modules support professional growth as well as the competition entry.

Education focus

Mote continued: “The evolution of the Patrón Perfectionists competition brand to a bartending programme, with dedicated education, goes hand in hand with the rise of the bar scene globally. It has become evident to all our teams that education should become the central pillar of our programme, with investment into the growth and professional development of bartenders everywhere.

“The bartenders who enter the Perfectionists have a common thirst for knowledge, growth, and connections. With this enhanced format and the invaluable support of local teams and brand ambassadors, we are going to support them throughout their journey as they strive for their personal vision of ‘perfection’ and of their Patrón Tequila serves and rituals.”

Following the education and entry stages, each participating country will judge the cocktail creations to shortlist up to 10 bartenders competing in the national finals due to take place throughout November and December.

This year’s national finals will engage bartenders across a variety of topics and challenges. The bartenders’ cumulative scores across the challenges will determine the national winner in each market.

Patrón Perfectionists Hacienda (1)
The final will be held at Hacienda Patrón

This year, a global judge will also select a special Wild Card entry from the contestants of the national finals. All national winners and the Wild Card winner will go on to the much-coveted global finals experience, taking place at Hacienda Patrón, Mexico, in March 2023.

During the global finals, bartenders will undertake a new series of challenges, testing each part of a bartender’s skillset.

Sydney-based bartender Harrison Kenney was crowned the winner of Patrón Perfectionists 2022.

This year’s competition is now open for entries and will close at 23:59 GMT on 7 October 2022.

Entries must be submitted via www.academiapatron.com/patronperfectionists.

The national finalists will be announced by mid-October and receive guidance on the upcoming national final events from local brand ambassadors.

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