Diageo Reserve World Class GB Bartender of the Year Competition Is Back With Its UK-Wide Studios Tou

Diageo Reserve’s global bartender competition, World Class, is set to return for its 12th year, announcing its UK-wide studios tour taking place in January and February. Inspiring more than 250,000 bartenders in the advocacy programme’s history, the prestigious competition attracts hundreds of talented mixologists across the world and UK year-on-year.

World Class Studios 2020 promises to be more future forward than ever, continuing to transform cocktail culture and drinking occasions. The UK training tour, which kicks off on Monday, encourages education in the bartender sphere, preparing contestants for the World Class GB competition which is set to open for entries in March. The UK training sessions will be hosted by a collection of Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassadors and World Class national champions including Ali Reynolds, Jack Sotti and Jason Clark.

The national final is set to take place in the New Forest this year for an exciting “Camp World Class” showcasing the natural beauty of the Great British Countryside. The global final in September this year, is due to take place in Sydney Australia.

The tour, which is free for bartenders to attend, will explore up to three sessions based on leading industry trends. The ‘Heart of Gold’ module celebrates what’s at the heart of making renowned premium gin brand, Tanqueray No. TEN and each element essential to shaping the spirit - known today for its unmistakable flavour and historic backstory. The ‘Highballing’ module explores the popular Highball trend, revealing the tricks of the trade and creating memorable serves - with a nod to Johnnie Walker Black Label, perfectly suited to the cocktail category. The final ‘Sweet Spot’ module is centred around Diageo Reserve’s Ketel One Vodka, showcasing how bartenders can take inspiration from their local environment to harvest ingredients for cocktail creation. There will be a focus on local honey production and beekeepers and how to generate a more sustainable habitat for wildlife.

Diageo Reserve World Class GB Brand Ambassador, Jack Sotti, commented: “Hot topics in the industry will be at the centre of conversations and workshops hosted by highly reputable drinks professionals in the sector - sharing knowledge from one bartender to another. There will be a heightened focus on trends and cocktail culture this year, ensuring the community spirit is at the heart of the competition.”

Discussing how the studios tour fits into the World Class competition, Sotti continued; “The World Class studios allows us to provide an insight in to what competitors should expect to see in the competition. It means we can cultivate our close community of talented bartenders and encourage others to join the World Class journey.”

Each of the sessions will be held at venues across the country. For further details of venues and to sign up for the World Class studio sessions, bartenders should visit

worldclass2020.eventbrite.com

Full World Class studios schedule:

All sessions run from 2pm – 5pm – limited spaces available per city

GLASGOW

20th January 2020

EDINBURGH

21st January 2020

ABERDEEN

22nd January 2020

DUNDEE

22nd January 2020

NEWCASTLE