Tonight the title of DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of
the Year 2010 was presented to Erik Lorincz from Connaught Bar
at The Connaught, London. After a year long global challenge which
saw 9000 bartenders from around the globe shake, stir and pour
their way through national heats, just 24 of the most talented
and inspirational bartenders remained to go head to head over four
days of WORLD CLASS challenges this week. Erik claimed the overall
title after impressing the most recognised names in the business -
Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Peter Dorelli, Gary Regan,
Alberto Soria and Hidetsugu Ueno.
Congratulating the winner of the second global DIAGEO RESERVE
WORLD CLASS competition, Rudy Paoli, Managing Director, Diageo
Reserve said: “WORLD CLASS is a truly international celebration of
the flair, creativity and skill of the bartender and the
appreciation of great spirit brands. Erik represents all of this
and we would like to congratulate him on this fantastic
achievement.”
WORLD CLASS judge Dale DeGroff commented, “What's most
impressive about DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS is how every aspect of
the craft of bartending is tested by the challenges and judges. You
need to be creative, thorough and skilled - it's daunting. Each
year I learn different skills from everyone I meet at World Class
including the contestants. These 21st century bartenders are the
pioneers of a new golden age of the craft.”
WORLD CLASS 2010 Bartender of the Year, Erik said “This is a
dream to win such a prestigious award, to be judged by some of my
heroes such as Salvatore Calabrese and Dale DeGroff has really
inspired me. I’m really excited about the year ahead.”
WORLD CLASS was established by Diageo Reserve, the luxury
division of DIAGEO plc, to educate and inspire talented bartenders
to create exceptional cocktails, service and experiences, which are
then brought to life in some of the best bars around the world.
Using the premium liquids of the Reserve Brands portfolio –
Ketel One® vodka, Cîroc® vodka, Tanqueray® No.TEN™ gin, Don Julio®
tequila, Zacapa® rum and Johnnie Walker® Gold Label™ and Blue
Label™ Blended Scotch Whisky - the finalists showcased their skills
in six classically themed challenges, from ‘Architecture’ which
tested the bartenders ingenuity and ability to adapt fresh
ingredients from a local market to create a cocktail out of their
chosen produce to ‘History’ which examined the bartenders’
knowledge of mixology and pursuit of perfection.
www.weareworldclass.com
NOTE TO EDITORS
THE DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS 2010 FINAL CHALLENGE
WINNERS
WORLD CLASS ‘Gastronomy’ Challenge – Canapé Matching
Winner: Jordi Otero, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, SpainAbility to
balance flavours and textures, finalists chose from six different
canapés and created cocktails to complement their two chosen
dishes.
WORLD CLASS ‘Architecture’ Challenge – Market Challenge
Winner: Do-Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, KoreaA
test of skill in identifying and using fresh market produce to
create interesting cocktail combinations, the bartenders had 40
minutes and €40 to shop and any Reserve spirits to create two
contrasting cocktails.
WORLD CLASS ‘Theatre’ Challenge - Ritual & Cocktail
Theatre Winner: Maxime Hoerth, Four Seasons Hotel, George V,
Paris, FranceUsing their imagination and sense of theatre,
finalists were asked to present one signature cocktail and then a
signature bottle serve using either Johnnie Walker® Blue Label ™ or
Zacapa® 23 rum, interpreting and showcasing the qualities of the
chosen spirit.
WORLD CLASS ‘Art’ Challenge – Speed & Taste Winner:
Heinz Kaiser, DINO’s American Bar, Vienna, AustriaEmploying their
speed and skill, finalists created a round of six well-known
cocktails in the fastest time possible without sacrificing taste.
They were required to use the full array of mixology methods,
including building, muddling and stirring.
WORLD CLASS ‘History’ Challenge – Classic Cocktails
Winner: Timo Janse, Door 74, Amsterdam, NetherlandsA thorough
examination of the bartenders’ knowledge of mixology and pursuit of
perfection, each of the competitors were tasked to make three
cocktails from a list of 15 signature, classic cocktails.
WORLD CLASS ‘Philosophy’ Challenge – Cocktail Mastery
Winner: Torsten Spuhn, Modern Master Bar and Lounge, Erfut,
GermanyThis challenge tested knowledge of spirits and cocktails,
with the bartenders quizzed on a Reserve brand and category studied
in advance (eg. Tanqueray® No. TEN™ and gin) and asked to make two
cocktails with the chosen spirits.
ABOUT DIAGEO
DIAGEO is the world's leading premium drinks business with an
outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits,
wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker,
Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain
Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards
wines.
DIAGEO is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries
around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock
Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more
information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance,
visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes
responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools,
information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
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