Here are the Finalists for the USBG Perfectionists by PATRÓN Tequila

With the global final of the PATRÓN Perfectionists fast approaching, we shed a light on the 16 brilliant global finalists who will be travelling to Hacienda PATRÓN, Jalisco, Mexico at the end of this month. Having all emerged winners in their national final challenges, the group is now heading to what is a much-anticipated and first-of-its-kind global final event taking place from 24 to 30 March.

This year, a step-change in the program has seen the PATRÓN Perfectionists evolving into a fully integrated bartending program, with the historical entry cocktail presentation undertaken by bartenders as part of the national final being replaced by three new challenges for the global final.

The new, creative challenges draw from some of the elements of the educational modules bartenders attended over the course of the entry stage and will be judged by an esteemed panel of world-renowned judges coming from different fields of the hospitality industry: Tara Fougner, award-winning journalist, industry advocate, co-founder and CEO of Thirsty Media; Ivy Mix, co-owner of New York’s Leyenda bar & Fiasco! wine & spirits shop, co-founder of Speed Rack; LP O’Brien, winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters, CEO and founder LP Drinks and Focus on Health; Sandrae Lawrence, founder and editor of award-winning media outlet The Cocktail Lovers magazine and podcast; Giulia Cuccurullo, 2020 PATRÓN Perfectionists Global Winner and Head Bartender of London’s Artesian; Harrison Kenney, 2022 PATRÓN Perfectionists Global Winner and GM of Sydney’s Bar Planet; Ana Martorell, educator, chef and founder of Mexico City restaurants Aida and OXA Cocina única and Haba Flores, beverage consultant and tequila aficionados, boasting a bartending experience in some of Guadalajara’s most acclaimed venues such as El Gallo Cantinero, Salon Candela and Matilde Mi Amor.

Covering different aspects of bartending – from creativity, to technicality, knowledge of ingredients, storytelling, and sense of hospitality, just to name a few – the challenges will culminate into the grand finale, Mi Mesa Es Tu Mesa, tasking bartenders with transforming the judges’ time at the table into a truly unforgettable experience.

While the global finalists are preparing for an intense week of experiences and some truly unforgettable moments, let’s meet them all and wish them good luck!

Who will emerge PATRÓN Perfectionists global winner? Follow the Thirsty Media channels between 24 and 30 March as our very own Tara Fougner travels to Hacienda PATRÓN to join the judging panel and report live from the global final event. For regular updates on the PATRÓN Perfectionists also head to Academia PATRÓN – on Instagram and on the portal.