On July 27, 2014, forty nine (49) of the best mixologists in the world today arrived in Gleneagles, Scotland to start the sixth Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS™ Global Final 2014, the most prestigious and respected cocktail competition in the industry. The 49 “bartenders” of the world met at the iconic hotel and golf course to prepare for five days of challenges which will determine who will be the 2014 winner. Whilst many have undergone rsa training melbourne or elsewhere, and all have many years under their belts, there can only be one winner. One of those 49 finalists is our very own Jonatan Meléndez from Santaella. The contestants have come from many different walks of life. Some have worked at the finest bars and pubs in the UK, including bars in soho. Jimi Loves Gloria – one of many Soho bars – is said to have some very exciting cocktails (the pink grapefruit martini and the Tommy’s Margarita) on their menu. Others have worked in waterloo bars and others just practise at home. One thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a tough competition!
After defeating several opponents throughout the year, each “bartender” has managed to represent the cocktail culture of their respective countries as they compete in a series of innovative challenges around Britain. Each “bartender” will be supervised by experts in mixology such as Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Peter Dorelli, Daniel Estremadoyro, Steve Olson, Gaz Regan, Julie Reiner, and Hidetsugu Ueno along with several judges recognized in their fields.
Fantacchiotti Matteo, Vice President of Global Commercial DIAGEO RESERVE, commented: “[w]ith its blend of history and tradition with contemporary glamor, we think Gleneagles is the perfect place to begin the end of the 2014 Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS™ Bartender of the Year. The levels of creativity and craftsmanship on display have demonstrated that this is the most competitive final we have seen yet. Each mixologist needs to be in top form if they want to win. While the finalists fly from Scotland, the home of whiskey, to London, the cocktail capital of the world, we are prepared to spend five memorable days of competition and unforgettable drinks. We wish the best of luck to the finalists.”
Paying tribute to the Scotch whiskey tradition, the 49 “bartenders” will have their knowledge put to the test, before undergoing a sensory challenge that will require the senses of touch, sight, smell, taste and sound to surprise the judges. The finalists will travel to London on The Orient Express before competing in The Tale of Two Martinis in St. Pancras Station. There they will create a classic Martini with a new modern twist. After the test, the WORLD CLASS™ bar will be available, as the top five “bartenders” of the world teach “newbies” how to prepare a proper drink at the legendary Champagne Bar Searcys Those who get to sit at the bar will enjoy the creations of past WORLD CLASS™ winners such as David Rivers, Tim Phillips, Manabu Ohtake, Erik Lorincz and Aristolelis Papadopoulos on a night that celebrates the best of the cocktail culture.
As part of the 5 Star Challenge, the remaining “bartenders” will be put to the test in one of the five bars of the most popular hotels in London, including the Savoy and the Langham. Then, they will combine writing with mixology at Cocktails Mixology and the Written Word. As the end of the competition approaches, the mixologists will face off in a challenge based on the “foodie” Borough Market in Cocktails Against The Clock. The winner of WORLD CLASS™ Global Final 2014 will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on August 1, 2014.
