The moment the F&B industry has been waiting for has finally arrived, Diageo returns with the 11th edition of World Class 2019. A competition designed with an aim to find the world’s best bartender and celebrate the cocktail culture in the world. This year, World Class will exclusively focus on the top 50 bars specially handpicked by a panel of judges representing F&B, Media, Restaurateurs and Industry leaders – Kelvin Chung, Vir Sanghvi, Yangdup Lama and Riyaz Amlani, Furthermore, for the first time, Diageo World Class India has uniquely curated consumer experiences over a ten day long Cocktail Week at selected bars with pop ups at multiple competition venues.
Pioneering in bringing alive the culture of fine drinking around the world, the competition is part of a fully integrated program that aims to increase the quality of consumer experiences, by empowering bartenders and bars to elevate the cocktail experience. Since its launch in 2009, Diageo Reserve World Class has educated and inspired over 300,000 bartenders in 60 countries all over the world.
As part of the World Class Studio Training module, selected 50 bartenders will undergo training under Diageo Brand Ambassadors at World Class Studios that will be held in Bangalore, Delhi & Mumbai this month. They will be demonstrating their level of expertise and understanding of popular spirits from the reserve portfolio – Talisker, Tanqueray 10, Johnnie Walker and Ciroc. The modules from World Class which include, the ‘Tech Tonics’ module draws from Tanqueray No. Ten and its classic pairing with tonic, covering the importance of mixers and how to balance the drink perfectly. The ‘Science of Smoke’ module entices from the Johnnie Walker Black Label polarizing the aroma and flavour with the special effect of smoke complementing the liquid and taste of the cocktail.
Other modules include the sustainability-focused ‘Single Ingredients’ course featuring Ketel One and the ‘Tartan Tiki’ module, which marries Talisker with Tiki drinks. Consumers will be able to experience the best of these creations during the Cocktail Week which will be hosted across markets cities.
To advance in the competition, participants will be required to put their best foot forward and pass through the demanding Regional Finals and the Top 10 to battle it out at India Finals in June. The winner of World Class India will then go on to represent the country at the World Class 2019 global finals in Glasgow. An esteemed panel will review the competitors based on taste, presentation, creativity, flavor, balance and understanding of the spirit.
Commenting on this competition, Shweta Jain – Diageo India’s, Vice President: Luxury Commercial & Key Accounts said, “Diageo Reserve World Class has grown into one of the most influential events on the global drinks calendar attracting top international bartending talent and earning a reputation as the biggest and best bartending competition in the business. This year there is an extended opportunity for cocktail appreciators to engage with India’s top bars & bartenders over an entire cocktail week as well as pop up bars in some trend leading city bars across the country. We are quite excited to represent the best Indian bartender in Glasgow for the World Class Global finals 2019.”
The bartenders will experience the following Diageo Reserve Brands as they fight for a spot to represent India in the World Class Finals -Talisker 10YO, Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray No. 10 and Ketel One.
The World Class India finalist will take on one of the world’s best bartenders at the Global Diageo World Class Competition, to be held in Glasgow this September 2019
