Twenty bartenders progress to the 11th Diageo Reserve GB final
Following an initial stage of paper judging, during which a record number of entries produced a field of 100 competitors, the Diageo Reserve World Class team have spent several weeks visiting bars around Great Britain in order to select the top 20 bartenders who will progress to the 2019 World Class GB final. This in-bar judging phase is now concluded, and the list of 20 finalists has been released.
The first part of the two-day final, taking place during Taste of London, will be held at Rake’s Bar, and will focus on Diageo Reserve spirits. The challenges have been designed to test the competitors’ speed, and ability to engage with an audience demonstrating their hospitality skills. The World Class bar at Taste of London will host the final challenge of the competition, with the 2019 World Class GB winner, who will go on to represent Great Britain at the global final, announced at Taste of London later that evening.
GB World Class Ambassador at Diageo Reserve, Jack Sotti, commented: “…It is always amazing to see incredible talent come together each year no matter where you are in the world. I’ve experienced the competition globally but this is the first time I will experience it from a GB perspective. I can confidently say the talent here is globally leading, so I can’t wait to see what the competitors have up their sleeves for the GB final. The challenges are designed not only test bartender’s ability to experiment with flavour and to balance a drink, but to showcase personality, exceptional presentation skills and how to bring the story behind the serve to life”.
Congratulations to the 2019 World Class GB Top 20 – We look forward to seeing you in action at the final.
Arnaud Volte – The London Edition, London
Benji Davies – Little Mercies, London
Bryn Lovell – Public, Sheffield
Cameron Attfield – Disrepute, London
Drew Gray – The Finnieston, Glasgow
Elysa McGuire – Below Stairs, Leeds
Giancarlo Jesus – Happiness Forgets, London
Giovanni Tavano – Kwant, London
James Hawkins – Sexy Fish, London
Jonathan Arthur – Bramble, Edinburgh
Jo Last – Beaufort Bar at The Savoy, London
Luke Robinson – Lyaness, London
Matthew Galloway – Tigerlily, Edinburgh
Max Allison – Scout, London
Ryan Sneddon – Lucky Liquor Co, Edinburgh
Sean Fennelly – Kimpton Fitzroy London, London
Simone Sanna – CUB, London
Stevie Kane – CUB, London
Thomas Payne – Revolution Cornerhouse, Nottingham
Tommy Matthews – The Edgbaston Hotel, Birmingham