Hayden Wood, AKA ‘Woody’ is one of the world’s most acclaimed bartenders and drinks book authors. He can be described as a liquid culinary adventurer of the world. His dynamic performances at the Food and Wine Show theatres from London to Cleveland, Sydney to Melbourne has the audience standing and literally shouting for more. Party guests witnessed the fun, style and skill that gained Woody the title of World Bartending Champion when he was guest bartender for Sir Richard Branson in Sydney and then for Oprah Winfrey alongside Curtis Stone who served up the food on Whitehaven Beach during Oprah’s Ultimate Australia Adventure.

Straight off the trail of a 23 city whirl wind tour of the US in 2009, that success earned him the role of the closing act at the Californian Food and Wine Festival held at Disneyland 2010 and the Gourmet Experience in San Diego 2010. Hayden’s Australia calendar encompasses food and wine shows and corporate events nationally showing people that; the best bar is right in your own home. His 2011 event calendar is already booked up with 43 sold out events across Australia and the US playing to audiences as big as 5000 people a night.

Born in New Zealand, Woody has lived in Sydney, Australia since 1995. He travels the world mixing drinks and sharing his knowledge. Woody loves teaching people how they can be ‘world champion’ cocktail bartenders, domestic sommeliers or craft brew aficionados.
Woody has always taken a light-hearted approach to his career. With an expanse of inspirational knowledge gained from over 15 years in the business, he is an effervescent entertainer and educator on all things liquid and drinkable — boiled down to what he likes to call a Liquid Kitchen.

Woody is also the award winning author of a series of best selling books under The Liquid Kitchen banner. His books, geared to the home party maker, are widely regarded as the benchmark for cocktail and mixed drinks books.

Woody other best selling titles cover cocktails, coffee, wine, beer, and all things liquid. “My philosophy is to keep it simple and easy, but most of all fun,” Woody said. “My ideas are hands on — and you’ll see why I say that the best bar is right in your own home.” Woody concluded.

His cocktails have been sampled by a growing list of celebrities around the world, including Madonna, Quentin Tarantino, Bono, Chelsea Clinton and Prince Albert of Monaco. Woody is keenly sought after as a Director of Beverage for VIP parties and events – and at luxury resorts from China to Mauritius and London to Melbourne.

From celebrity chef parties high in Beverly Hills serving A-List guests, to wine and cheese events on Philip Island, Woody is showing the world how easy it is to have your own liquid kitchen right at home.