Diageo Reserve Bartender of the Year kicks off with UK-wide Studios Tour
Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year is back, and this year will include new content, a host of new challenges, and a focus on community, in what promises to be the biggest and best iteration of the competition so far (watch the video at the bottom of this page for more details).
The 2019 competition kicks off with a preparatory UK-wide tour throughout February and March, bringing the World Class Studios to an even larger pool of bartenders. The Studios are designed to educate and inspire bartenders, and provide them with training to help them excel in the World Class Bartender of the Year competition.
Each Studio session will be centred around a spirit in the Diageo Reserve portfolio and led by members of the brand ambassador team, including Jack Sotti, Jason Clark, Ali Reynolds, Kate Jackson, Jenna Ba, and Joe Tivey.
Modules within the studios will examine modern cocktail trends and provide valuable knowledge for bartenders both within the World Class competition, and in their wider careers behind the bar. Subjects will include: ‘Tech Tonics’, ‘Science of Smoke’, ‘Single Ingredients’, and ‘Tartan Tiki’, with two modules specifically tailored to this year’s World Class competition entry challenge, due to open in March with in-bar judging in May.
Diageo Reserve World Class Brand Ambassador Jack Sotti says: “The World Class studios are an amazing way for us to get out there and work incredibly closely with both new and established talent nationwide to help build new skills, grow our World Class community and share a wealth of knowledge and insight. We can’t wait to hit the road to start recruiting and spreading the word for yet another exciting World Class year, this year kicking the competition off with a series of challenges encompassing everything which makes up today’s bartending scene.”
BarLifeUK has attended several World Class Studios sessions in previous years, and can wholeheartedly encourage bartenders to book a spot. They are fun, enlightening, and the perfect starting point for anyone planning a World Class entry.
The World Class Studios Modules
The ‘Science of Smoke’ module requires competitors to grasp and demonstrate the delicate skill of creating the perfect blend by ensuring liquids work together in harmony.
‘Tech Tonics’ is a module which draws on inspiration from Tanqueray No. TEN and Tonic – a recipe which highlights the ground-breaking technology behind the spirit’s production process and botanical combinations. The session will explore how best to create your own mixers and unlock unique flavours.
‘Single Ingredients’ focuses on Ketel One Vodka and getting the most out of ingredients to minimise wastage and make better, more responsible choices in the bar and at home.
‘Tartan Tiki’ is inspired by Talisker’s brand platform, Made By The Sea. It explores specific whisky flavour profiles and showcases the versatility of Single Malt Scotch Whisky by mixing malts in a cocktail context better known for its rum credentials
World Class Studios Dates and Locations
Glasgow: Main event & after party 25th February 2019
Manchester: Main event & after party 4th March 2019
London: Main event & after party 11th March 2019
Edinburgh: 26th February 2019
Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham: 6th March 2019
Cardiff, Bristol, Bournemouth: 13th March 2019
To book your World Class Studios place visit this link: https://worldclassgb.events.idloom.com/
Watch the World Class 2019 video, which describes some of the changes to this year’s World Class Bartender of the Year programme