Following last year’s virtual competition Diageo World Class is thrilled to announce Sydney, Australia as the confirmed host city for the 13th annual World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals, with the competition running from 12th-15th September.
And for the first time, the 2022 Global Finals will feature during a week-long World Class Cocktail Festival, celebrating the best of Sydney’s thriving cocktail culture from Friday 9th to Sunday 18th September.
Sydney will witness a truly incredible World Class takeover with a fully integrated programme of festival and competition events that will demonstrate the cutting-edge of cocktail culture, with the world’s best bartenders showcasing their masterful magic through a series of challenges testing their skills and creativity, plus a line-up of Diageo Reserve brand pop-ups featuring incredible drinks experiences and exciting collaborations with the city’s best bars.
Marissa Johnston, Global Head of World Class, Trade & Social Advocacy, said “We are hugely proud to be hosting the World Class Cocktail Festival and Global Finals in a city full of culture and creativity, and home to some of the best bars and bartenders in the world. Last year we were able to explore new opportunities for the World Class community within the digital world – and with this year’s hybrid model, the programme will continue to expand.
Packed full of unique, reimagined drinks experiences, our 2022 event will include masterclasses from some of the greatest names in the bartending industry as they create World Class cocktails to try at home and see the world’s best bartenders battle head-to-head as the ultimate global champion is selected.”
Using Diageo’s award-winning, premium portfolio of Reserve brands, including Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, The Singleton and Tanqueray No. TEN, our 50+ bartender finalists will need to be at their best to capture the imaginations and votes of our industry-leading judges, with the ultimate prize of being crowned World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2022 at stake.
To ensure the competition is as inclusive as possible for bartenders who cannot travel to Sydney, the event is being designed to accommodate both physical and virtual finalists.
Jonathan Morgan, Head of Reserve, Diageo Australia, said “We are thrilled and privileged to host this year’s World Class Cocktail Festival and Global Finals event – it’s a great boost to the bartending industry following the challenges of the past two years. Sydney has been eagerly awaiting its turn after the 2020 postponement and Australia is ready to showcase the pinnacle of home-grown bartending talent to the world.
The week-long Cocktail Festival will create an incredible buzz for our great city – providing a perfect opportunity to explore Sydney’s incredible cocktail scene and witness the future of drinks experiences that push the boundaries of what’s possible!”
In 2021, James Grant, representing Canada, clinched the World Class Global Bartender of the Year trophy at the virtual final. With an incredible show of creativity, originality and charisma, last year’s judges were blown away by James and his extraordinary serves. As the reigning global winner, he is currently embarking on a worldwide tour to share his experience and inspire up and coming bartenders to find their creative outlet in the drinks industry.
Diageo World Class is about drinking better, not more. It celebrates the craft and excellence of both the drinks and the bartenders, and at every stage we will remind consumers to drink better not more.
For more information on the World Class Global Finals, keep an eye on the World Class social channels over the coming months.