The last challenge leg of Diageo Reserve World Class 2016 ended on a flavorful note last May 12 at Solaire Resort and Casino.
Diageo Reserve World Class is the cocktail industry’s most renowned and respected mixology training programme and competition worldwide. This 2016, the world’s best bartenders will pit their skills, impeccable techniques, and knowledge against each other in front of experts in the global bartending industry.
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The third and biggest challenge round for the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2016 followed the theme “Cuisine Meat Cocktails”– a feast of savory flavors and the world’s finest Scotch whiskies. The challenge ushered in #LoveScotch – a global movement that promotes Scotch whisky’s unique style, substance, and flavor.
Competing bartenders made use of Diageo Reserve’s portfolio of Scotch whisky: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Singleton of Glen Ord, Glenkinchie, Cragganmore, Talisker, Lagavulin, and Caol Ila in their cocktails.
20 of Manila’s top mixologists served scrumptious creations that surprised the senses with unthinkable ingredients by balancing savory tastes to the diverse flavor profiles of Scotch whisky. The “Cuisine Meat Cocktails” challenge was a test of integrating food elements while putting together exceptional cocktails.
“This batch was truly exceptional. The bartenders did a great job this year,” said Marie Ona, Diageo Reserve Philippines Luxury Manager. “All three winners demonstrated unique talents and the promise to make a difference in Miami later on this year, taking advantage of food trends to create their winning cocktails.”
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Offering their discerning palates to the competition were judges Will Thompson, Global Ambassador for Don Julio Tequila; Hannah Waters, presenter and bartender for Tales of the Cocktails; and Ray Reyes, food and travel blogger of lynne-enroute.com. Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador Rian Asiddao hosted the competition.
The top 4 bartenders will represent the Philippines at the regional finals in Bali, Indonesia in late May. They will also receive premium prizes from Diageo and BevTools. The winners of the regional finals will then go on to compete in the Global Finals in Miami, Florida, where they will have the opportunity to learn from the industry’s most renowned figures and gain access to exclusive World Class tools and workshops.
Every year, Diageo Reserve World Class continues to grow, with more and more countries adapting the training program and joining the World Class Bartender of the Year Competition. Now on its eighth year globally, World Class continues to elevate the craft, innovation, and creativity within the cocktail industry. This is the fourth year the Philippines is participating with the biggest batch thus far with contenders hailing from Manila’s finest bars.
Karina is not your ordinary supermom. She juggles her time bonding with her three amazing kids while being in the loop on the latest happenings in the tech and lifestyle scene. Follow me on Instagram (@digitalfilipina) regularly visit www.digitalfilipina.com for daily dose of updates not just for moms but for everyone!
