These are the 8 who decide who becomes the world’s best bartender
Eight of the world’s pre-eminent experts in mixology, have arrived in South Africa for the prestigious World Class Bartender of the Year competition to decide on who will assume the title of world’s best bartender.
From bar-owners to some of the world’s best ever bartenders and authors, all of the eight judges are craftspeople in their fields and share an all-consuming passion: a desire to elevate and evolve cocktail culture through the finest, most innovative cocktails, using the best spirits & produce.
“Bartending in the best establishments today is akin to the skills of being a top chef. In this instance, it’s the ability to create a sophisticated signature cocktail in quick time in order to serve a customer a drink that is balanced in both taste and complexity,” says judge and Diageo global brand ambassador Spike Marchant.
“Add to this a sense of high entertainment and the expectation is that a bar-tender has a singular personality as well. In competitions like World Class you have to have your wits about you.”
Indeed, with a life of celebrity and opportunity beckoning the winner, the stakes are high as 55 of the world’s most talented bartenders from the best bars in over 50 countries around the world go head-to-head in unique and unparalleled challenges over the next four days.
A landmark week in the luxury calendar, the World Class Bartender of the Year will be announced on September 4th in Cape Town which has also been confirmed as World Cocktail Capital 2015.
And as the competing bartenders prepare to face their first challenges, here are the eight people they must impress the most:
- Salvatore Calabrese: based in the UK, Salvatore has been making drinks for 40 years for the rich and famous, presidents and royalty, and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the drinks industry.
- Peter Dorelli: best known as the former head bartender of the iconic American bar at London’s Savoy hotel, where he served everyone from royalty to film stars including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin
- Steve Olson: one of America’s foremost experts, lecturers and writers on fine wine, beer, spirits and sake, with an impressive palate, Steve is recognised on the world stage with a string of accolades and awards.
- Julie Reiner: is the co-owner of some of New York’s finest cocktail joints and the consultant behind leading US hotel groups’ cocktail programmes from Manhattan to Hawaii.
- Spike Marchant: Diageo Reserve World Class global brand ambassador, Spike has the task of designing the bartending challenges and hosting the finals each year.
- Dale DeGroff: Known as ‘King Cocktail’, Dale helped initiate the New York cocktail revolution and is credited with bringing back fresh ingredients to the bar as well as for perfecting the Cosmopolitan during his reign at Manhattan’s The Rainbow Room.
- Gaz Regan: The artist formerly known as Gary Regan, is a charismatic and articulate Brit born to pub-owning parents who made his name in the New York bar scene before turning his hand to publishing.
- Hidetsugu Ueno: Ueno-San is the embodiment of Japanese style, precision and theatricality. His small bar in Ginza, Tokyo is the epitome of modern hostmanship, where he personally looks after a select number of guests.
Meet Some Of The Gurus At World Class House
Central to the consumer experience during the global finals is World Class House which, in previous years, only opened to drinks industry professionals. This year’s World Class House – situated at Roodebloem Studios in Woodstock, Cape Town – however, will be fully open to the public and feature exciting pop-up bars and installations as well as opportunities for engagement with the world’s most esteemed fine drinking figure-heads and bartenders.
The World Class House will be open from August 28th to September 5th from 6pm to 11pm during the week of the World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Online purchase of tickets is available at the www.theworldclasshouse.com for R180 to guests over the age of 21. The price includes R80 credit which can be used to purchase beverages or book a place at one of the brand experiences. Additional credit can be purchased in the House.
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.