Whisky Focus - Diageo Reserve World Class 2018 Semi-finalists Announced

Diageo has announced the top 35 bartenders that will go through to the Diageo Reserve World Class GB 2018 semi-final stage.

The 35 bartenders will now partake in a series of challenges for the chance to win a an impressive prize package valued at over £15,000 plus achieve the coveted title, World Class GB Bartender of the Year. The exceptional prize is a truly unforgettable experience, backed by nationwide exposure and a 12-month contract touring with the World Class team hosting workshops.

Entries first opened 15th February and closed on 30th March and invited bartenders nationwide to submit one cocktail using one of the Diageo Reserve portfolio of World Class brands, showcasing their creative skills and applying the two key elements from this year’s competition – The Resourceful Bartender and Heat of the Moment. The Resourceful Bartender hones in on the significance of sustainability, enabling bartenders to create a better bar, serve and working environment, while Heat of the Moment focuses on flavour and experimentation, delving into culinary influences. All entries have been in-bar judged by Diageo Reserve brand ambassadors, with the top 35 bartenders listed below now invited to complete in the next stage of the competition.

The semi-finals will take place at Diageo’s Customer Collaboration Centre in London on Tuesday 15th May 2018 and will see 35 become 10 announced at an after-party later that evening, in Central London. The final 10 will then battle it out in Edinburgh from the 18th – 20th June for the chance to be crowned the World Class GB Bartender of the Year, and will be invited to compete at the global final in Berlin.

The 10th World Class Competition marks an instrumental milestone in the drinks community and each year promises to bring fresh talent and forward-thinking skills presented through extraordinary serves.

The 35 Diageo Reserve World Class GB Semi-finalists 2018 are:

• Giovanni Tavano, Sexy Fish, London
   
• Ilija Kniazev, Annabel’s, London
   
• Thomas Solberg, Black Rock, London
   
• Georgia Billing, Sexy Fish, London
   
• Luke Robinson, Cub, London
   
• Luke Condell, The Cocktail Trading Co., London
   
• Mikey Pendergast, East London Liquor Co., London
   
• Charles Roche, Scout, London
   
• Jonatan Munoz Iniesta, Hawksmoor Spitalfields, London
   
• Robert Simpson, The Clove Club, London
   
• Christian Silenzi, American Bar at The Savoy, London
   
• Claudio Iucolino, DRY MARTINI, London
   
• Daniel Bovey, Hyde & Co., Bristol
   
• James Bowker, The Wilderness, Birmingham
   
• Thomas Matthews, The Edgbaston, Birmingham
   
• Manachain Monaghan, Below Stairs, Leeds
   
• Kuba Korzynski, Royal Institution, Liverpool
   
• Adam Day, Peggy’s Bar, Manchester
   
• Daniel Warren, Last Chance, Nottingham
   
• Jack Wakelin, Public, Sheffield
   
• Mike McGinty, Voyage of Buck, Edinburgh
   
• Miran Chauhan, Buck & Birch, Edinburgh
   
• Kieran Grieves, Bonbar, Newcastle
   
• Kieran Downie, Tigerlily, Edinburgh
   
• Cosmin Tigroso, NINE LIVES, London
   
• Cameron Attfield, Dandelyan, London
   
• Simone di Serio, Brasserie Max, London
   
• Yeshua Garcia, Rotunda Bar at Ten Trinity Square
   
• Timothy Bachelor, The PIG Hotel, Brockenhurst
   
• Arnaud Volte, The Distillery, London
   
• Robyn Wilkie, The Edition, London
   
• David Hall, Terroir Tapas, Bournemouth
   
• Thomas Ryan, Doctor Ink’s Curiosities, Exeter
   
• Michele Reina, Palm Court Bar, London
   
• Alexander Taylor, Pennyroyal, Cardiff

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

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