Diageo World Class competition finalists revealed
The eight bartenders from Great Britain competing in Diageo's World Class virtual final in April have been revealed.
Five new finalists will join Stevie Kane, Kuba Korzynski and James Rawcliffe, who were awarded their places in the final in September 2020 after winning the bottle Cocktail Challenge as part of the series of London Cocktail Week challenges.
The finalists were narrowed down from 100 participants of the semi-final, named the Singleton Challenge: Malt Memories, which took place virtually earlier this year.
The five new finalists and their winning serves are:
- Alexa Farrow, London: In Memoriam: The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, chamomile, jasmine and eucalyptus cordial, Belsazar Riesling vermouth
- Stefanie Anderson, Edinburgh: Between Two Sunbeams: The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, tamarind, lychee and eucalyptus, soda
- Mark McClintock, London: Ecossaise: The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, floral pistachio orgeat, Lemon
- Murray Drysdale, Edinburgh: Trinity Highball: The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, rhubarb and custard cream soda cordial, soda
- Matt Arnold, Birmingham: Anamnesis: The Singleton of Dufftown 12yo, charred barley-infused elderflower liqueur, water blend.
The eight finalists will represent Great Britain in the World Class global finals and compete for the title of GB's World Class Bartender of the Year 2021. The final will take place virtually on 23 April and will be showcased on the World Class Facebook page.
The final, which has been designed by World Class partner agency Sweet&Chilli, will see finalists compete in two virtual challenges showcasing their cocktails, skills, personality and craft, using Tanqueray No. Ten, Johnnie Walker and Talisker.
This year's competition was headed up by Jo Last, World Class and malt whisky ambassador, and Pippa Guy, World Class and Tanqueray ambassador, who have curated the challenges and overseen the competition in its new format.
The competition winner will secure a 12-month contract with the world's first dedicated bartender talent agency, Global Bartending, which was founded by former Diageo World Class manager Dan Dove. The specialist agency will work alongside the winner to create a bespoke support programme based on their career interests.
This year's prize also includes a place on a WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits course. This advanced level qualification has been developed for professionals wishing to acquire a detailed understanding of the spirits of the world and develop the tasting skills required to accurately describe and evaluate a spirit.
