This week Diageo’s World Class programme gives UK bartenders a second chance to enter one of the world’s biggest cocktail competitions.
The format of the World Class competition also gives bartenders the opportunity to experience an afternoon of amazing sessions over the next few days.
As most of you will know World Class is a global competition of epic proportions and one in which the UK has a great history in with Erik Lorincz winning in 2010 and Tim Phillips winning in 2012 (okay so he might be Australian but he spent a fair few year’s honing his craft in the UK). For those of you not as familiar check out Timothy Barnes report on the 2011 Finals here.
Below are the details of this week’s sessions, from there it is simple…. Attend a session, get lots of free knowledge from the likes of Dave Broom, Colin Dunn and Ryan Chetiyawardana, use one of the brands from the day to come up with a beautiful cocktail, enter said cocktail, win the UK heats, take on the world, beat them, return home as a hero.
First on that list is to attend one of the sessions and to register for a place simply visit the World Class website here.
The sessions run from 11:30 to 4:30pm
- 12th February 2013 – Oxford: Raoul’s Bar
- 13th February 2013 – London: The Century Club
- 19th February 2013 – Manchester: Kosmonaut
- 20th February 2013 – Edinburgh: The Voodoo Rooms
During these sessions the following subjects will be covered:
Vintage with a Twist with Ketel One
Presented by Ketel One Brand Ambassador Deano Moncrieffe and a local micro brewer
This session will focus on vintage cocktails. There will also be a chance to learn about the evolution of craft beer and how it can be used in exciting new variations on classic cocktails.
Whisky Is… with Talisker 10yo, Singleton of Dufftown 12yo and Cardhu 12yo
Presented by Dave Broom (London & Oxford), Ryan Chetiyawardana (Manchester & Edinburgh) and World Class Malts Brand Ambassadors Colin Dunn and David Sinclair
The Malts Forum will be highlighting that whisky can be anything that you need it to be, asking bartenders to explore the possibilities with the brands. After Dave & Ryan open your minds, Colin & David will lead you in a tasting session.
City Glamour with Don Julio and Grand Marnier
Presented by Grand Marnier Brand Ambassador Julian LaFond and Don Julio Brand Ambassador Deano Moncrieffe
The City Glamour forum will focus on the brands of Don Julio & Grand Marnier, with a glamorous cocktail made by Julien LaFond, and a Don Julio tasting session by Deano Moncrieffe
The Entry Process
Once you have attended your local forum, created an inspirational cocktail and submitted it to the Reserve Club website, the World Class Brand Ambassadors will paper judge all of the entries.
The most impressive cocktail recipes will be selected to go through to the next round – the in-bar judging.
The Brand Ambassadors will then hit the road and visit each bartender in their venue to see and taste the drink made first hand.
The top six from each region will then compete in the four regional heats, with one winner from each heat going through to the semi final.
The semi final will in turn narrow the field down to two individuals, who will then go on to the UK final, with an eye to representing the UK at the World Class Global Final in July 2013.
Reserve Your Forum Place Now
The last of the World Class forums for 2012/13 take place this week, so it is important that you register for your place.
You can register for the forums, and find out much more about the World Class competition by visiting: http://www.worldclassuk.com/