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Diageo World Class strips out semi-finals for “streamlined” admissions

Published:  15 March, 2019

Diageo Reserve has taken out several steps in the admissions process for its World Class bartender competition, promising to make it easier than ever for up and coming talent to apply.

As in previous years hopefuls must apply online, which includes submitting the recipe and photo for a unique serve.

But unlike previous years, hopefuls will no longer have to take part in some further stages of challenges, including in-bar judging for all drinks, and a semi-final round, which have been scrapped.

Diageo said the changes will make it “easier” for talent to apply, and will “ultimately support further growth of the World Class bartender community and help to up-skill the GB drinks scene”.

Every year, bartenders are tasked with creating serves from Diageo’s spirit portfolio.

This year, the themes are ‘Science of Smoke’, centered around Johnnie Walker whisky and ‘Tech Tonics’, which asks bartenders to experiment with botanical combinations and flavours to produce a highball using Tanqueray No Ten and soda.

Another change to this year’s competition is that applicants can enter one or two serves, giving them double the chance of making it through to the top 100.

From there, the top 100 will be whittled down to 20, who will then compete to be crowned GB World Class Bartender of the Year 2019, before representing GB in the World Class global final hosted in Glasgow later this year.

Hopefuls have until April 7 to apply.


Main photo shows last year’s GB top 10 finalists

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