The international bartending competition, Diageo Reserve World Class, is open for 2017 entries.
Now in its ninth year, World Class is calling on Australian bartenders to enter the national competition, which will see entrants complete a series of cocktail challenges. The national winner will then fly to Mexico City to represent the country at the global finals in August where the world’s best bartender will be crowned.
Launching in 2009, World Class is now in over 60 countries and has seen over 250,000 bartenders take part in its training and advocacy program.
In Australia, newly appointed World Class Australia ambassador, Natalie Ng, will be touring the country alongside the mentor team of Diageo Reserve Brand ambassadors to help competitors develop their bartending skills.
Ng said “It is an incredible opportunity to work with Diageo and mentor Australia’s inspiring rising stars on the World Class Studios Tour. Being part of World Class is not just about a title – it connects you to like-minded peers. Anyone that has entered can attest that the comradery is second to none.”
This year’s opening round challenges is made up of two categories 1: Set The Scene, where entrants have to create a cocktail that sets the scene for the night to come; and 2: Create The Memory, where they must create a drink that everyone will remember.
On top of a place at the global finals, the winner will receive a VIP experience for two to some of the most iconic whisky distilleries in Scotland.
Applications are open until 17 March 2017 and competitors can enter in one or both categories.