Today Diageo announced that this year’s Global World Class Finals will be taking place in England and Scotland in July 2014.
Back in 2007 Diageo launched World Class as a UK only competition but by 2009 it had reached global levels with 18 countries involved. The final that year was held in London and after a few years travelling around locations such as Athens, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro and of course last year’s Mediterranean cruise, the finals return to where it all began.
In fact this year the 50 bartenders from around the world who will be competing in the final will be spending time in both England and Scotland. Starting north of the border the finalists will experience the art of blending before boarding the World Class Express to London where they will get to experience the best bars and bartenders in the world (we may be a little biased there).
As always there will be a series of challenges and a who’s who of a judging panel to test them all to their limits. With the finals back on UK soil it seems fitting that the UK re-claims the crown won by Erik Lorincz in 2010.
To win we need the best people entering and there is still time with Burst Two of this year’s UK entry process kicking off next month
Attending one of the four sessions not only gives you the chance to enter the competition but also provides one of the best educational opportunities around.
The topics this time round include ‘Flavour Is….’ And ‘Punch & Glass’ with a speaker line up of Colin Dunn, Andrea Montague, Deano Moncrieffe, Tim Homewood, Julien Lafond and The Thinking Drinkers.
To sign up to your nearest session join the relevant Facebook group (links below) and let’s get this trophy back where it belongs.
March 3rd Manchester
March 4th Edinburgh
March 12 London
March 13 Bournemouth