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Daniel Warren
from Last Chance, Nottingham, was
crowned the winner of Diageo Reserve’s
World Class GB Bartender of the Year
2018 competition.
After a two-day final which kicked
off with a day of trials at the newly
opened Edinburgh Grand Hotel, followed
by a second day of challenges at
Gleneagles, Daniel Warren from Last
Chance, Nottingham, was crowned the
winner of Diageo Reserve’s World Class
GB Bartender of the Year 2018
competition and will now go on to
represent GB in the global final in
Berlin.
As always competitors were put
through their paces, with the first
challenge testing their bartenders’
hospitality skills and their ability to
create a welcoming experience. This took
place in a penthouse apartment at the
Edinburgh Grand Hotel as competitors
were required to create the ‘Perfect
Welcome Cocktail’ and experience using a
base of Ketel One Vodka, Tanqueray No.
TEN or Don Julio in any style, with only
five minutes to prepare for the
presentation and five minutes to present
to the judges.
On day two, the top ten were invited to
join Diageo Brand Ambassador Ali
Reynolds at the Shooting Lodge on the
Gleneagles estate, to test their skill
in creating a perfectly balanced smoked
cocktail using and highlighting the
smoky notes of Johnnie Walker Black
Label.
A challenge pack was sent to the
finalists’ home bars ahead of the
competition, to serve as inspiration for
the integration of smoke into the
challenge. They were then asked to
pre-prepare one smoky cocktail, in a
‘ready to go’ hipflask, which they
brought with them to Scotland. On the
day of the challenge the competitors
presented and served the cocktail back
to the judges, with an inspirational
tale to describe how it had been
created.
The final challenge, ‘The 19th Hole’
took place at The Gleneagles Hotel in
the Auchterarder 70 Club House
overlooking the Queen’s Golf Course. The
competitors were asked to imagine they
had just been appointed as the new bar
manager at the venue and were tasked
with creating the new Club House
signature drink, inspired by the rich
legacy of the famous golfing
institution, all during their first 10
minute ‘shift’.
Finalists were given five minutes to
prepare their station before their shift
started and 10 minutes to present to the
judges, during which time they were
judged on how well they entertained and
hosted guests as well as the judges. The
finalists were required to create two
full serves for the judges at the bar,
and 15 sample sized versions for the
guests, whilst simultaneously taking
orders from customers from a bespoke
World Class Classics Menu which
included: Tanqueray No. TEN and tonic,
Zacapa Daiquiri, Don Julio Margarita,
Ketel One Dutch Mule and Johnnie Walker
High Ball.
 This year’s judging panel included:
Simon Difford (Difford’s Guide), Sandrae
Lawrence (Cocktail Lovers); Dan Dove
(Global Bartending); Diageo World Class
GB Manager, Stephen Martin; Diageo
Reserve GB Brand Ambassadors, Ali
Reynolds, Colin Dunn; Diageo Reserve
European Brand Ambassador, Deano
Moncrieffe; Diageo Global Cocktailian
Lauren Mote, Diageo Reserve GB Bartender
of the Year 2017 Jamie Jones and Global
Winner Kaitlyn Stewart.
Daniel's
winning signature serve was made up of
Johnnie Walker Blue label, Peated terroir cordial, 70 Club House bitters,
a thin slice of tobacco box Cedarwood
and a frozen golf ball, after all he was
serving it in Gleneagles.
Stephen Martin, Diageo World Class GB
Manager commented: "World Class is all
about fantastic hospitality, exceptional
knowledge, skill and creativity, and
Daniel has it all. He really inspired
us, brought his own style to the
competition and engaged everyone
involved, not just the judges. We’re
really proud of Daniel and can’t wait to
see what he will bring to the global
final in Berlin.’"
Daniel will receive an impressive prize
package which includes:
- Nationwide media exposure &
dedicated PR for the World Class GB
Winner & their bar throughout the
year.
- A 12-month contract worth a
minimum of £5,000 to tour with the
World Class team hosting workshops &
bartending at high profile &
prestigious events throughout the
UK.
- Fly to Schiedam for an exclusive
2-day Culinary Experience with a
mystery Chef at the Ketel One
Distillery.
- A two-day Malts Advocate Course
in Scotland with Whisky Gurus Dave
Broom or Charles MacLean .
- Be part of the World Class
Bartender Exchange and travel to
three European countries to guest
bartend behind some of the World’s
Best Bars.
- A £300 voucher for a
personalised Cocktail Kingdom Kit.
- Professional signature serves &
profile photo shoot with top
industry photographer.
- And of course Daniel will now go
on to represent GB in the World
Class Global Finals 2018 in Berlin
for a once in a lifetime experience.
Commenting on his win, Daniel
said: "I never imagined I’d be
crowned the winner of this year’s
2018 World Class competition, it’s a
dream come true and I’m so
incredibly happy. It has been an
absolute whirlwind and it all feels
very surreal. It’s such an honour to
have been able to work with so many
talented bartenders, judges and
brand ambassadors. This year’s
competition has been tough, the
challenges really tested my
technical abilities as a bartender
and also my hospitality skills and
it’s not over yet! I can’t wait to
see what the Global Final in Berlin
brings, I’m counting down the days
until I can do it all over again and
represent my country!"
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