On the evening of Wednesday 23rd August in Mexico City the world’s best bartenders stepped into the Lucha Libre ring as they competed to win the title of WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year. In one of the final rounds of the world’s biggest bartending competition, which attracted entries from nearly 10,000 bartenders from more than 50 countries, the ten remaining competitors went head-to-head in a battle of the ‘classics’, a challenge to create the best classic cocktail.
On Wednesday evening an elite four were selected from the final ten, including Kaitlyn Stewart from Canada, Kevin Patnode from Turkey, Mate Csatlos from Denmark and Andrea Gualdi from Australia. The winner will be announced this evening, Thursday 24th August, after a final day of competition.
Kaitlyn Stewart of Canada said: “This is crazy! To have made it to the top of the regional World Class competition, to then become final ten out of the best fifty five bartenders in the world, and now the final four. I’m so delighted. Now to focus on the final day of competition tomorrow in the race to become the best bartender in the world!”
Kevin Patnode of Turkey said: “World Class is the biggest bartending competition in the world so to have made it this far is absolutely amazing. I’m thrilled. Hopefully with lots of energy, some serious focus and a pinch of luck I will nail it tomorrow and become the best bartender in the world!”
Marcus Phillip of Australia said: “World Class is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to the top of the bartending game so I’m absolutely delighted to be in the final four. I’ve put my heart and soul into this and will be doing exactly the same tomorrow. Here’s to the final round of competition!”
Mate Csatlos of Denmark said: “I can’t believe with all these bartenders around me I’ve made it to the final four out of fifty-five of the best bartenders in the world! Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m so happy with how far I’ve got. But here’s to a successful round tomorrow and becoming crowned the World Class Bartender of the Year!”
Commenting on the competition, Spike Marchant, one of the competition’s WORLD CLASS judges, said: “This has been an incredible three days of competition and I would like to congratulate all four for making it through to the final round. They showed themselves to be at the absolute top of their trade, approaching ingredients and techniques in a very unique way.
“Each interpreted the classics differently, all with intensity, all with skill, but some with a level of passion that left our judges in no doubt as to who deserved a place in the final four.”
Speaking about the final day of competition, Spike said: “One last day of competition awaits these four exceptional finalists. They will be tested on their finesse and knowledge in three challenges: a written test, blind tasting and a classic round. Each will be under incredible pressure and I’m looking forward to see who breaks free to be crowned WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 2017!”
WORLD CLASS is on a mission to inspire people to drink better and shape the future of drinking, whether at home or in the bar. If you have been inspired to drink better, visit www.theworldclassclub.com or the WORLD CLASS Facebook community, where you can find delicious new recipes from our finalists, how-to videos and et the low-down on the latest trends. The Finals action can be watched live at www.theworldclassclub.com.
--ENDS—
For more information on WORLD CLASS and the WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year competition contact:
Global Press Office (UK)
Smarts Communicate
E: worldclass@smartscommunicate.com
T: +44 (0) 2890 395 500
Biographies of the Top 4
Canada - Kaitlyn Stewart (Place of work: Royal Dinette)
Kaitlyn has grown up in the hospitality industry, with both of her parents having careers that gave her exposure and ignited a passion for it from a young age. She knows that dedication and hard work can lead to great things. Kaitlyn is inspired by the music she listens to, the food she enjoys and also the customers she interacts with at her bar. Her dream is to continue learning her craft, explore more of the world and eventually open up her own spot!
Denmark - Mate Csatlos (Place of work: Kabuku at Umami)
Like other World Class finalists, Mate first started bartending part-time to support his studies. He didn’t expect to fall in love with the colorful world of spirits and the opportunities it gives to connect with others! After time in Ibiza, London’s Dorchester Hotel and Birmingham’s Edgabaston Hotel, he became inspired by the Scandinavian lifestyle and moved to Copenhagen to manage bars! He’s driven by creativity and is focusing on the journey, rather than the destination.
Turkey - Kevin Patnode (Place of work: Kulhanbeyi)
Kevin studied International Relations in Boston, Shanghai and Istanbul before calling Istanbul home! No stranger to the World Class finals, his career continues to grow. He also works at an antique store and dreams of combining his passion for antiques and history with bartending as a consultant or developing pop-up concepts around the world!
Australia - Andrea Gualdi (Place of work: Maybe Frank)
Andrea’s cocktail journey started in London where he was mentored at The Artesian bar – an opportunity which completely changed the way he approaches drinks. He is inspired by his surroundings and experiences and more recently, by chefs and how they explore and use ingredients. His dream is that one day when people visit bars, they’ll do so in as if going to the theatre and experience the art of great cocktails through storytelling.
The Finalists
Finalists were selected from each of the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong & Macau, Iceland, India, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, USA. Cruise Ships are also represented by finalists from these sectors.
About WORLD CLASS
WORLD CLASS is on a mission to inspire people to drink better and create unforgettable experiences in the process. Whether at home or in a bar, WORLD CLASS encourages consumers to think and care about fine drinking in the same way they care about fine dining.
WORLD CLASS has supported, trained and inspired over 300,000 bartenders across the globe over the past nine years, while partnering them with the world’s finest spirits – the Diageo Reserve collection. WORLD CLASS is also the authority on the drinks industry whom consumers look to for the information on the latest drinks, trends, cocktail recipes and industry insight.
WORLD CLASS is hosting the ‘WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year’ – the world’s biggest bartending competition. After local competition around the globe, 55 of the world’s finest bartenders have arrived in Mexico to compete to be crowned the world’s best bartender.
About Diageo Reserve
Created in 2004, Diageo’s Reserve division focuses on the global luxury opportunity, bringing together brands built on strong heritage, craftsmanship and authenticity. This luxury portfolio consists of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Ciroc, Don Julio, Tanqueray No. TEN, Ketel One vodka, Zacapa, Bulleit and a fine collection of Single Malts. The Reserve portfolio accounts for 16% of Diageo’s total sales and has grown by 7% this financial year.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Ciroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKIQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere
23 August 2017
