42BELOW Cocktail World Cup, Queenstown, New Zealand

The 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup is not for the faint-hearted. This annual competition brings together 15 determined bartender teams who compete over a period of five days to earn the coveted title as the World Champions of the Cocktail World Cup.

The 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup 2008 is the fifth year of this annual event that sees hundreds of people travel to the snow covered slopes that surround Queenstown in New Zealand. Over the five days between the 9th - 13th September 45 contestants will battle it out to become the Cocktail World Champions, taking over the throne from the 2007 winning team from Team Vegas, USA.

JUDGE 1 - FRANCESCO LAFRANCONI

Front row at the judges table sits Francesco Lafranconi, a passionate connoisseur of cocktails and bartender educator to many. This immaculately presented judge is on a personal calling to elevate bartending to become a prestigious career that carries with it a great pride and personal success.

At the age of 22 Franceso already had an impressive resume, working in some of the finest European hotels. By the age of 28 he was heading the Academy of Spirits and Fine Service for the Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. In this role Francesco has trained more than 1,500 bartenders in product knowledge, mixology and the finer point of becoming a professional bartender.

For Francesco, cocktail making requires the same level of knowledge and skill required to make a fine meal, without the luxury of preparation time. "Great bartenders have to create a masterpiece that can overcome the obstacle of speed, and volume," Francesco explains.

For the contestants in the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup Francesco represents a style and sophistication associated with cocktail making of a past era. Francesco's suave, controlled approach to his profession has not gone unnoticed and these days he is a regular Television guest and a champion of industry events including programs offered by the Museum of the American Cocktail.

JUDGE 2 - JONATHAN DOWNEY

With a resume that includes owning The East Room and Milk & Honey in London, Match Bar, Match EC1, Sosho, The Player and The Match Bar Ibizia and now in Melbourne, the presence of Jonathan Downey as a judge at the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup makes you wonder how he fits it all in.

In 2006 Jonathan was ranked number 115 in the GQ Power List for his unrivalled influence on the drinking culture in the UK. This year he was listed as the 14th most influential person in the UK beverage industry by Theme magazine.

This man is a one-man machine who is single-handedly working his way around the globe setting some of the worlds most respected Bars and restaurants.

Jonathan was a quick starter to join the judging panel due to the original concept presented by the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup. "This event brings all elements of great cocktail making into play. The focus on team contributions rather than individual excellence provides a level of complexity that many bartenders would struggle to bring together."

JUDGE 3 - UENO HIDETSUGU

From Ginza, Tokyo to the slopes above Queenstown in New Zealand Mr Ueno Hidetsugu has crossed more than the geographical divide to take up his judging position at the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup.

The spacious bars in the luxury ski town in Queenstown are in total contrast to Hidetsugu Ueno-san's own pint sized bar 'High-Five' in Ginza that boasts the most expensive real estate in Japan at over $200,000USD per square metre.

Although Japan is best known for its Sake, a strong cocktail culture is evident across all major cities. Hidetsugu Ueno-san is one of the new leaders of Japanese bartending who is creating a new following of dedicated cocktail aficionados across Tokyo.

Between 2000 to mid 2008 Ueno-san was the head bartender and manager of Star Bar Ginza popular with the rich and famous. Cocktail making has been in Ueno-san's blood for many years proven by his impressive array of international awards and acknowledgements. He is also a judge at the annual Nippon Bartender Association (NBA) National competitions and more recently the World Cocktail Competition.

JUDGE 4 - JASON DELL

Award winning chef and culinary adventurer, Jason Dell is a former New Zealand Chef of the Year. Currently he is Executive Chef at the exclusive Blanket Bay Lodge in Glenorchy, near Queenstown.

Jason is a world-renowned chef who has specialized in developing his own unique culinary identity, directly contributing to New Zealand's reputation as a world-class epicurean destination.

Jason has been involved in the hospitality industry for 20 years, featured in various international media and appeared as guest chef at numerous high-end wine and food events throughout New Zealand and further abroad.

What: 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup
Where: Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Dates: Tuesday 9 September - Saturday 13 September 2008

See www.42below.com or www.cocktailworldcup.com

Media releases, images and video content will be made available online throughout the event by request.

fvalintine@42below.com