World Class Begins Next Week

Find out how you can take part in World Class 2012/13 – A global cocktail competition of epic proportions.

Current World Class champion, Australia's Tim Philips

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for several years, you will be very aware of World Class – It is one of the World’s largest, most high profile cocktail competitions.

BarLifeUK have spent time with several GB and Global World Class winners, and they tell us without exception that the journey from first forum to the global final is nothing short of epic.

World Class will help you examine current trends, develop your brand and category knowledge and above all, educate you, enlisting the help of a range of specialist speakers such as Andrew Ford and Tom Aske to really inspire you to create a drink that can win the competition.

As such, two sets of forums are being held throughout the UK before the cocktail submission window is opened. To enter World Class, read the list of forums below and decide which brand you would like to learn about, and create a cocktail with. Then simply sign up online here to reserve your place.

The first burst of forums begin in October, and the second in February 2013. You are able to enter with brands under each burst once, but you must have attended that particular session to enter.

The first burst of forums kicks off next week, and covers the following subjects:

  1. Bartender Barchef with Ron Zacapa.

World Class 2012 GB winner, Andy Mil, will be explaining ‘how to win World Class’, as well as showcasing two of his perfect Ron Zacapa food pairing serves.

  1. 2. Retro Cocktails with Tanqueray No. TEN.

Taking inspiration from 50s and 60s era drinks, this forum focused on the power of Hollywood and advertising when it comes to drinking trends. The forum will focus on cocktails in movies.

  1. 3. Flavour is King with Jonnie Walker Platinum Label, Jonnie Walker Blue Label and Jonnie Walker Gold Label Reserve.

Johnnie Walker Super Deluxe whiskies are often enjoyed in traditional way – neat or over ice. This forum encourages bartenders to expand their horizons to include cocktails made using these Super Deluxe malts.

Taking place in:

  • Bristol, Monday 1st October – Milk Thistle
  • London, Tuesday 2nd October – Whisky Mist
  • Glasgow, Monday 15th October – The Corinthian
  • Manchester, Tuesday 16th October – Apotheca Bar

During the forum, you will be given a card with your personal Reserve Club login details. It is on this website that you will submit the recipe for your competition entry cocktail.

Remember – You can’t enter World Class unless you have attended one of the forums, so register for your place now by clicking here.

The second burst of forums kick off in early 2013, and will cover:

  1. Whisky Is……
  2. Vintage with a Contemporary Twist with Ketel One Vodka
  3. City Glamour with Grand Marnier & Don Julio

Taking place in:

  • Glasgow, Monday 11th February
  • Liverpool, Tuesday 12th February
  • Bristol, Monday 18th February
  • London, Tuesday 19th February

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 first of the World Class forums begin next 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/