Latest news with #FoxtrotUnicorn
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Foxtrot Unicorn: Perth Bartender Shirley Yeung named in Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year
Perth's cocktail scene is about to take centre stage, with Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn's bar manager Shirley Yeung named to compete in the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Diageo World Class is in its 16th year and regarded as the biggest and most influential bartending competition in the world. This year's Australian finals will bring together eight elite bartenders from across Australia for a one-day cocktail showdown. Diageo's head of trade advocacy Kate McGraw said Diageo World Class was the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence. 'The Australian competition never fails to inspire.' she said. 'This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary'. This is the second year in the competition for Ms Yeung, who is also the co-founder of MixHaus, a not-for-profit group creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders nationwide. Ms Yeung is the only West Australian to make the finals this year, with her other competitors being from Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 'To represent Perth and stand alongside some of the most creative bartenders in the country? That's a massive honour. I'm soaking up every minute,' she said. 'I'm equal parts buzzing and terrified — in the best way. World Class is the stage for bartenders who want to push boundaries. It's not just about mixing a great drink — it's about storytelling, technique, sustainability and connection.' 'We're done with playing it safe. Guests are asking smarter questions and bartenders are getting bold with local ingredients, ferments, and native botanicals,' she said. 'High-concept drinks in laid-back venues? That's the vibe. What's not hot? Overcomplicating things. No one wants a 12-step cocktail that takes 15 minutes. We're all about flavour, finesse and fun — and that's why I think Perth's energy belongs on the World Class stage.' The Australian finals will test the bartenders in live challenges involving celebrating coffee culture, creating three custom drinks including one from Tequila Don Julio Minis, and a speed round requiring competitors to craft up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium reserve spirits portfolio. These competitions will determine who will represent Australia on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, later this year. The final will be held on June 30 at the Sofitel in Sydney.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Perth Bartender Shirley Yeung named in Australia's best list
Perth's cocktail scene is about to take centre stage, with Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn's bar manager Shirley Yeung named to compete in the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Diageo World Class is in its 16th year and regarded as the biggest and most influential bartending competition in the world. This year's Australian finals will bring together eight elite bartenders from across Australia for a one-day cocktail showdown. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Diageo's head of trade advocacy Kate McGraw said Diageo World Class was the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence. 'The Australian competition never fails to inspire.' she said. 'This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary'. This is the second year in the competition for Ms Yeung, who is also the co-founder of MixHaus, a not-for-profit group creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders nationwide. Shirley Yeung is a contender for Bartender of the Year. Credit: Supplied Ms Yeung is the only West Australian to make the finals this year, with her other competitors being from Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 'To represent Perth and stand alongside some of the most creative bartenders in the country? That's a massive honour. I'm soaking up every minute,' she said. 'I'm equal parts buzzing and terrified — in the best way. World Class is the stage for bartenders who want to push boundaries. It's not just about mixing a great drink — it's about storytelling, technique, sustainability and connection.' Shirley Yeung is also the co-founder of co-founder of Mix Haus, which is dedicated to creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders. Credit: Bartender 'We're done with playing it safe. Guests are asking smarter questions and bartenders are getting bold with local ingredients, ferments, and native botanicals,' she said. 'High-concept drinks in laid-back venues? That's the vibe. What's not hot? Overcomplicating things. No one wants a 12-step cocktail that takes 15 minutes. We're all about flavour, finesse and fun — and that's why I think Perth's energy belongs on the World Class stage.' The Australian finals will test the bartenders in live challenges involving celebrating coffee culture, creating three custom drinks including one from Tequila Don Julio Minis, and a speed round requiring competitors to craft up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium reserve spirits portfolio. These competitions will determine who will represent Australia on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, later this year. The final will be held on June 30 at the Sofitel in Sydney.
The Age
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
The Weekly Special: The planet's finest pizzas, Perth Plateful returns, and the World's 50 Best Restaurants gets some WA flavour
What do you call a lawyer-in-training who decides to become a chef? If we're talking about chef Blaze Young, one answer might be 'impressive', as demonstrated by her work as executive chef overseeing the cooking at Fremantle wine fantasy Nieuw Ruin, CBD cocktail den Foxtrot Unicorn, plus the recently hatted inner-city pub, Edward & Ida's. Young is also the guest for this Monday's Yes, Chef (Monday, June 30), a monthly hospitality talk series held at member's club Lawson Flats. Full disclosure: I'm the host of Yes, Chef, but I'm aware that I'm just the facilitator, timekeeper and question-asker-in-chief. The guests are the stars of each show and every session always uncovers valuable lessons and insights. Always. (Personally, I'm looking forward to quizzing Young about her experience as a latecomer to hospitality, learning the business side of the industry and who her key mentors were.) Tickets for non-members are $15 – inclusive of a free drink – and guests are welcome to stick around afterwards for dinner upstairs at Lawson Flats' in-house restaurant Luis' and to continue the conversation.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Weekly Special: The planet's finest pizzas, Perth Plateful returns, and the World's 50 Best Restaurants gets some WA flavour
What do you call a lawyer-in-training who decides to become a chef? If we're talking about chef Blaze Young, one answer might be 'impressive', as demonstrated by her work as executive chef overseeing the cooking at Fremantle wine fantasy Nieuw Ruin, CBD cocktail den Foxtrot Unicorn, plus the recently hatted inner-city pub, Edward & Ida's. Young is also the guest for this Monday's Yes, Chef (Monday, June 30), a monthly hospitality talk series held at member's club Lawson Flats. Full disclosure: I'm the host of Yes, Chef, but I'm aware that I'm just the facilitator, timekeeper and question-asker-in-chief. The guests are the stars of each show and every session always uncovers valuable lessons and insights. Always. (Personally, I'm looking forward to quizzing Young about her experience as a latecomer to hospitality, learning the business side of the industry and who her key mentors were.) Tickets for non-members are $15 – inclusive of a free drink – and guests are welcome to stick around afterwards for dinner upstairs at Lawson Flats' in-house restaurant Luis' and to continue the conversation.
