Diageo’s WORLD CLASS bartender competition is on for 2017, and calling Australian bartenders to carry on the world class competition.
Launched in 2009, this is the 9th year for the prestigious competition, which pits the best bartenders from around the world against each other in a series of innovative and challenging exercises.
Each national winner will be flown to Mexico City, to compete in the global finals in August. The Australian winner will also receive a VIP tour for two people of some of Scotland’s most iconic distilleries, including a once-in-a-lifetime “Johnnie Walker experience”.
Entry to the competition involves submitting a cocktail in either or both of this year’s categories: ‘Set the Scene’ or ‘Create the Memory’.
The Top 100 entries will be announced 24 March 2017, and go through to Round Two. Entrants will showcase their cocktail entry in-venue for the duration of the competition.
WORLD CLASS Australia’s newly-appointed Ambassador, Natalie Ng, will lead a team of Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassadors around the country, nurturing upcoming talent and helping competitors take their bartending skills to the next level.
“It is an incredible opportunity to work with Diageo and mentor Australia’s inspiring rising stars on the WORLD CLASS Studios Tour,” said Ng.
“Being part of WORLD CLASS is not just about a title – it connects you to like-minded peers. Anyone that has entered can attest that the comradery is second to none.”
World Class has proven highly influential in the international bartending community, and this year will take place in over 60 countries.
Australia’s Jack Scotti from Melbourne’s Boilermaker House placed third in the 2015 competition, featuring the best from 54 countries.
His event-first levitating cocktail the Stealth Bomber not enough to win outright.
Applications for World Class 2017 are open until 17 March 2017.
