Barman gives contest his best shot

Malakai Waqanimaravu is in the running to become 2013 Beam Bar Legend in a nationwide bartending competition. Photo / File

Rotorua barman Malakai Waqanimaravu is in the running to become 2013 Beam Bar Legend in a nationwide bartending competition.

Mr Waqanimaravu will compete in the semifinal in Auckland on September 4.

The final will be at The Cloud in Auckland on October 21.

Almost 500 bartenders entered the competition, run by international spirits company Beam Inc.

The winner will receive a $25,000 prize pack including an all-expenses-paid international trip to a Beam brand distillery of their choice (in Kentucky, Canada, the Caribbean, France or Scotland), an expense card valued at up to $10,000 and a $5000 staff party for their bar.

Mr Waqanimaravu is employed at Ambrosia Restaurant & Bar on Eat Streat.

Beam New Zealand Brand Ambassador Calem Chadwick said it was difficult to narrow the entrants down to a top 24.

"The depth of talent out there is really amazing.

"What makes this competition so special is that it's open to anyone around the country. This means we're not just seeing the skills you'd expect from the major centres - some of our most exciting talent is coming from smaller areas such as Napier and Timaru," he said.

Semifinalists will take on a "Pig and Punch" challenge and will be given $300 to make a punch bowl for 200 people, which will be served with a pig on a spit.

"This might sound simple, but it's actually a truly challenging task, especially given the partnering food.

"They'll have to be conscious of diners' palates and produce a strong match," Mr Chadwick said.