Domenico De Lorenzo is listed among the best bartenders in the world
World Class programme is honoured to announce the list of the 55 finalists who will battle it out in the Global Final Competition in South Africa to be crowned “the best bartender of the world”. More than 6,000 bartenders, from more than 50 countries competed at the local contests to conquer the title of the best bartender of their countries.
It takes an outstanding bar to produce an outstanding bartender, and the 55 finalists in the World Class Bartender of the Year competition represent some of the most exceptional venues on earth. These bars and restaurants are spread across 53 countries as well as two venues on the open seas. More than 3 500 bars and restaurants around the globe have been a part of World Class this year, with their bartenders competing to be the champions of their respective countries.
Domenico De Lorenzo, from Molecular Bars in Johannesburg, clinched the victory in the World Class national finals with his original creations the “Curious Case of the Malted Man” and “Lady in Red”, and will now go on to represent South Africa in the World Class global finals from August 31 to September 4.
Molecular Bars is a mobile drinks service that delivers custom cocktails to consumers wherever their demands require – from birthdays to luxury occasions, Molecular Bars can cater to every event imaginable with its dedicated staff of expert mixologists.
From Vietnam to Canada, Russia to Peru, even out on the ocean, the World Class programme has made sure that no matter where you are on earth there is a bar dedicated to enhancing your drinking experience.
Launched in 2009, World Class has trained more than 35 000 bartenders all over the world, representing more than 10 000 bars and restaurants. World Class bartenders and the venues where they work are synonymous with sophistication, impeccable service and pushing the boundaries of contemporary experiential cocktail culture.
Now in its seventh year, the competition is the biggest and most prestigious mixology event in the world, providing a platform to celebrate the skill and craft of the world’s best bartenders, showcase fine-drinking experiences and inspire people to embrace quality cocktail culture around the globe.
World Class bartenders have honed their craft to be on par with the world’s top chefs with the result that the care and passion they put into creating their drinks is setting new standards of quality in the industry.
| Country | Bar | Bartender |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Boilermaker House | Philipp Ernest |
| Belgium | Diageo | Jurgen Nobels |
| Brazil | Gripping Vegas | Kennedy Nascimento |
| Bulgaria | By The Way | Dimitar Dimitrov |
| Canada | UVA Wine and Cocktail Bar | Lauren Mote |
| Colombia | Mai Tai Bar | Cesar Acero Sanchez |
| Costa Rica | Hotel Andaz Papagayo | Clark Jimenez Alvarado |
| Czech Republic | L’Fleur Bar | Vítězslav Cirok |
| Denmark | Open/Close | Karl-Martin Edin |
| France | Le Florin | Paul Silvers |
| Germany | Shakekings | Marian Krause |
| Greece | Theory Bar and More | Emmanouil Lykiardopouloa |
| GTME | Celebrity Cruises | Santos Mercedes |
| Gautemala | Independent “Nomada Cocktail” | Martin Martinez |
| Hong Kong | Quinary | Antonio Lai |
| India | Drinks on MG | Alfonso del Portillo |
| Indian Ocean | Apoteek | Tristian Petit |
| Indonesia | Sofitel Nusa Dua Bali | Ayip Muhammad Dzuhri |
| Ireland | MVP | Anna Walsh |
| Israel | Bellboy | Ariel Leizgold |
| Italy | Replay the Stage | Francesco Cione |
| Japan | Lamp Bar | Michito Kaneko |
| Kenya | Royal Orchid Hotel | Akash Tomar |
| Lebanon | Central Station | Refaat Ghostine |
| Malaysia | Omakase & Appreciate | Yi Shawn Chong |
| Mexico | Licoreria Limantour | Fernanda Tejada |
| Morocco | Sofitel Royal Bay Agadir (Accor Group) | Brahim Hamouali |
| Netherlands | Door 74 | Tess Posthumous |
| New Zealand | Racket Bar | Phillip Spector |
| Norway | Raus | Jørgen Dons |
| Panama | Taberna Rasputin | Felix Cuevas |
| Peru | Bottega Dasso | David Romero |
| Philippines | ABV | Kenneth Bandivas |
| Poland | El Koktel | Mateusz Szuchnik |
| Portugal | Cinco Lounge | Jose Maria Robertson |
| Puerto Rico | Santaella | Michael Norat |
| Romania | PPD | Paul Sfirlea |
| Russia | Mendeleev Bar | Evgeny Shashin |
| Singapore | Tess Bar | Steve Leong |
| Slovakia | Gastronomy Group | Filip Navratil |
| South Korea | Speakeasy Mortar | Byungjim Lim |
| Spain | Varsovia Bar | Borja Cortina |
| Sweden | Bar25 | Ted Filip Dako |
| Switzerland | Intercontinental Geneva | Olivia Hairay |
| Taiwan | Mandarin Oriental Taipel | Jacko Chang |
| Thailand | Why97 | Pongpak Sudthipongse |
| Turkey | Nopa | Kevin Patnode |
| United Arab Emirates | Zuma Restaurants | Mehmet N. Sur |
| United Kingdom | Hawksmoor | Alistair Reynolds |
| United States | Death & Co | Tyson Buhler |
| Vietnam | Urban Kitchen Bar | Duy Tu |
| Western Europe Central Team/ Yachting (SS) | Sailing Yacht Marie | Jasmin Rutter |
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
About Diageo Reserve
Diageo Reserve represents the luxury division of Diageo, a multi-award winning portfolio of fine spirits rich in heritage, craftsmanship and innovation.
The World Class Collection of brands includes: Ciroc vodka, Tanqueray No. TEN and Tanqueray London Dry gins, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Platinum and Gold Label Reserve Scotch whiskies, Tequila Don Julio, Zacapa rum, Ketel One vodka, Haig Club single grain whisky, Bulleit Bourbon, Talisker, Mortlach Scotch whisky and Singleton single malt whiskies.
Diageo Reserve promotes responsible drinking.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Diageo Reserve World Class™
Diageo Reserve World Class™ is transforming fine drinking experiences and cocktail culture around the world and in the home. The industry’s largest, most credible investment in the luxury on trade, it discovers the next generation of bartending talent who set the latest mixology trends and bring these to the best bars worldwide.
At the core is an outstanding, global training programme and internationally recognised platform that elevates the craft of the bartender and builds careers in the industry culminating in an annual luxury landmark week where the Diageo Reserve World Class™ Bartender of the Year is announced. Launched in 2009, over 20,000 bartenders have been inspired and educated in the craft of mixology using the finest spirits in the Diageo Reserve collection.
A partnership and collaboration with gurus, media, partners and owners, Diageo Reserve World Class™ is widely recognised as a mark of sophistication and distinction of international fine drinking culture by bartenders and customers alike