The title of DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 2010 was presented to Erik Lorincz from Connaught Bar at The Connaught, London. After a year long global challenge which saw 9000 bartenders from around the globe shake, stir and pour their way through national heats, just 24 of the most talented and inspirational bartenders remained to go head to head over four days of WORLD CLASS challenges this week. Erik claimed the overall title after impressing the most recognised names in the business – Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Peter Dorelli, Gary Regan, Alberto Soria and Hidetsugu Ueno.
Congratulating the winner of the second global DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS competition, Rudy Paoli, Managing Director, Diageo Reserve said: “WORLD CLASS is a truly international celebration of the flair, creativity and skill of the bartender and the appreciation of great spirit brands. Erik represents all of this and we would like to congratulate him on this fantastic achievement.”
WORLD CLASS judge Dale DeGroff commented, “What’s most impressive about DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS is how every aspect of the craft of bartending is tested by the challenges and judges. You need to be creative, thorough and skilled – it’s daunting. Each year I learn different skills from everyone I meet at World Class including the contestants. These 21st century bartenders are the pioneers of a new golden age of the craft.”
WORLD CLASS 2010 Bartender of the Year, Erik said “This is a dream to win such a prestigious award, to be judged by some of my heroes such as Salvatore Calabrese and Dale DeGroff has really inspired me. I’m really excited about the year ahead.”
WORLD CLASS was established by Diageo Reserve, the luxury division of DIAGEO plc, to educate and inspire talented bartenders to create exceptional cocktails, service and experiences, which are then brought to life in some of the best bars around the world.
Using the premium liquids of the Reserve Brands portfolio – Ketel One(R) vodka, Cîroc(R) vodka, Tanqueray(R) No.TEN(TM) gin, Don Julio(R) tequila, Zacapa(R) rum and Johnnie Walker(R) Gold Label(TM) and Blue Label(TM) Blended Scotch Whisky – the finalists showcased their skills in six classically themed challenges, from ‘Architecture’ which tested the bartenders ingenuity and ability to adapt fresh ingredients from a local market to create a cocktail out of their chosen produce to ‘History’ which examined the bartenders’ knowledge of mixology and pursuit of perfection.
