|
Jamie Jones
of The Social Company in London has been
named Diageo Reserve GB’s World Class
Bartender of the Year 2017 and goes on
to represent Great Britain in the global
final in Mexico City.
After a competitive two day long
final in London Jamie Jones of The
Social Company, London has been named
Diageo Reserve GB’s World Class
Bartender of the Year 2017.
The two day final was overseen by an
expert panel of judges, including Dan
Dove, Head of Diageo Reserve World
Class, David Beatty, Ketel One Brand
Ambassador, Aidan Bowie, Head Bartender
of Dandelyan and the current champion,
Dennis Zoppi, Italy’s 2012 winner,
Pritesh Mody of World of Zing, Ago
Perrone of The Connaught, Barrie Wilson
of Scotch + Limon and editor of The
Cocktail Lovers, Sandrae Lawrence put
the 11 final competitors through their
paces in three key challenges.
The first challenge put the the 11
finalists was, Made in Mexico, which was
hosted at Dandelyan and formed a
technical assessment which analysed the
competitors’ palettes, ability to
balance and enhance flavour and agility.
With just 45 minutes to complete the
task and a list of unknown and
unfamiliar ingredients, competitors were
challenged to create a twist on the
classic Sangrita or Verdita using Don
Julio tequila.
A bespoke workshop with Diageo’s team of
flavour chemists followed, whereby
bartenders were tasked with creating
their own essential oils to be used in a
martini which would be served in the
final challenge. A key future trend, the
workshop was led by Penny Wilson,
Principle Scientist at Diageo to explore
the use of oils, solubility and their
ability to carry flavour and create
texture in cocktails.
On the second day, finalists faced the Signature Serve round,
when they were tasked with bridging two
cultures: home with Mexico City, to
create something completely unique to
each competitor. Inspired by fusion
cooking, the challenge invited the final
11 to create harmony, balance and
something that perfectly reflects
themselves using flavour and tastes
typically separated by geography.
The final challenge, A Table of Eight
was designed to highlight and celebrate
some of the fundamental skills of a
World Class bartender and create three
drinks to be served alongside a three
course dining experience for a table of
eight guests. Tasked to call on their
creativity, knowledge of flavour and
technique, bartenders curated their own
sensory experience, telling their
stories and creating a narrative
throughout each course whilst invigorate
their guest’s senses.
 Jamie’s
winning serves included a Tanqueray No.
TEN martini made with hemp, lemon and
lime oil-washed Ketel One Vodka. His
Table of Eight guests were welcomed to a
sensory experience designed to reflect
immersive, personal hosting occasions
with a Mexican twist. Jamie’s signature
serve, The Rumours Brew won judges over,
comprising Johnnie Walker Gold Label,
Ancho Reyes Verde, Banane du Bresil,
fresh lime juice, fresh pineapple juice
and Hitachino Japanese rice beer.
Dan Dove, Head of Diageo Reserve World
Class GB commented: "World Class is a
competition designed to celebrate the
very best in bartending, inspire
excellence and innovation and lead
modern cocktail culture. Jamie truly
reflects what it means to be a World
Class bartender; he blew the judges away
with his exceptional appreciation of
flavour, sensory harmony, technique and
of course ability to create and host
quality and memorable experiences. We’re
very proud to call Jamie the Diageo
Reserve World Class Bartender of the
Year 2017 – and can’t wait to support
him in preparation for the global final
in August in Mexico City."
Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of
the Year 2017, Jamie Jones, added: "The
last two days have been so intense but
incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the
chance to work with an unbelievable
bunch of bartenders, ambassadors and
even flavour chemists, which has been a
huge privilege alone. I can’t wait to
head to Mexico City for the next stage
of the competition and the chance to
represent Great Britain."
Alongside the trip to Mexico City to
represent Great Britain in the global
final, Jamie has won:
- The coveted title of Diageo
Reserve World Class Bartender of the
Year 2017
- Access to the European World
Class boot camp following the GB
final
- Trip to Don Julio in in the
Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico
- Trip to Schiedam to the Ketel
One Vodka distillery
- Bespoke whisky trip to Scotland
- £500 voucher for a personalised
Cocktail Kingdom kit
- Caracalla World Class bespoke
bartender hand luggage – worth over
£1,000
- Professional signature serve and
profile photoshoot with a top
industry photographer
The global Diageo World Class competition final will be held in Mexico
City in August 2017.
|
