A showstopping competition of the nation's Top
30 bartenders leads to one winner who will represent the US during
World Class Global Finals in Sāo Paolo, Brazil.
NEW
YORK, May 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The eleventh
season of the United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG) Presents World
Class Sponsored By DIAGEO announced Renato
Tonelli of Brooklyn, NY as
the 2023 US Bartender of the Year following three challenging days
of exceptional craft cocktail showmanship. Hosted in Austin, TX, the acclaimed competition brought
together the nation's top 30 bartenders to put their skills,
senses, and agility to the ultimate test with a series of intense
challenges. Renato Tonelli was a
standout talent, demonstrating that passion and determination for
the trade can truly lead to success. Known for his utmost
hospitality and creativity, Tonelli showcased a skilled and
thoughtful approach to the prestigious competition, earning the
honor of representing the US at the Global Finals in Brazil this fall.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9171851-usbg-presents-world-class-sponsored-by-diageo-2023-bartender-of-the-year/
Renato Tonelli got his start in
the hospitality industry working globally in Rome, Italy before broadening and perfecting
his craft in Brussels,
Germany then Melbourne, Australia and eventually returning
to New York City where he was born
and raised. With a growing passion for sustainability practices
throughout years of experience behind the bar, Tonelli is best
known for his love of developing unique and delicious recipes that
upcycle food waste.
"Being named the 2023 US Bartender of the Year is something I
have dreamed of for years and that dream just came true," says
Renato Tonelli. "I've gained so much
invaluable knowledge, skills and camaraderie from this competition
that will make a major impact in the future for both my personal
and professional career in this industry. I'm thrilled to be
heading to the Global Finals in Brazil and continuing to pursue sustainable
practices with this craft, and I have the outstanding support of
this community behind me to thank for that."
This year the National Finals took place at a combined event
where the country's Top 30 bartenders first competed in three
challenges over two days. Competitors mixed and stirred across the
Garnished With Good challenge where they crafted a recipe
using a sustainably sourced or made ingredient or process using
Ketel One Family Made Vodka, followed by Walk With Me where
they developed a bespoke cocktail with Johnnie Walker that they would serve a person or
group embodying the spirit of progress, and finally the
showstopping Speed Round that tasked competitors with
designing and executing a themed menu of eight cocktails within 10
minutes using the DIAGEO Reserve Spirits portfolio. From there, the
Top 5 Finalists were selected to compete in two final showdown
challenges, testing their ability to pair a Tequila Don Julio cocktail with local cuisine as
well as a bartender's choice cocktail using a mystery ingredient
sourced from Austin, TX.
"The growth and evolution of the World Class US program from the
first year to now, the eleventh, has been inspiring," shares USBG
Executive Director Aaron Gregory
Smith. "We are incredibly proud of this program and how it
continues to contribute to the careers and camaraderie of the
bartenders in our community."
Cassandra Ericson, Manager of On
Premise Channel Marketing at DIAGEO North America adds, "The level
of commitment and engagement that each participant brings to the
World Class US program only exemplifies the impressive and diverse
talent found in today's bartending community. We are proud to be
committed to providing each participant with mentorship, innovative
resources and ongoing digital education through
DiageoBarAcademy.com to help further elevate their craft to the
next level no matter what their experience level might be."
Those interested in taking a shot at the US Bartender of the
Year title are invited to apply for the 2024 USBG Presents World
Class Sponsored By DIAGEO program. Follow @WorldClassUS on
Instagram to learn more and be alerted when applications open this
summer. In the meantime, try your hand at Renato Tonelli's recipes
that helped him win the US Finals this year.
Market Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1.25 oz Ketel One Family Made Vodka Infused With Fig
- 1.25 oz Local Orange Wine
- 1 oz Clarified Grape Juice
- 2 oz Pink Lady Apple Kombucha
- 0.5 oz Local Infused Honey
- 2 dashes Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom
- 4 dashes Saline Solution
- Garnish: Upcycled Market Leftovers & Foraged Flowers
Preparation:
- Combine Ketel One Vodka Infused with Fig, Orange Wine,
Clarified Grape Juice, Honey, Ketel One Botanical Peach &
Orange Blossom and Saline Solution into a shaker with
ice.
- Shake thoroughly and strain into glass
- Top with Pink Lady Apple Kombucha and stir gently
- Garnish with Upcycled Market Leftovers & Foraged
Flowers
Urban Garden
Ingredients:
- 1.25 oz Johnnie Walker High Rye
- 0.25 oz Seedlip Garden 108
- 0.25 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
- 0.5 oz Green Tea
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Garden Scrap Cordial
- 4 dashes Saline Solution
- 2 dashes Pernod
- Half of a Muddled Tomatillo
- 1 oz Egg White
- Spray of Green Chartreuse
- Garnish: Microherbs
Preparation:
- Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake
vigorously.
- Strain over ice into a glass.
- Spray Green Chartreuse over drink and garnish with
Microherbs.
Cocktails created for the duration of this year's competition
can be found on Instagram using the handle @WorldClassUS. When
showcasing your own mixology or sampling award-winning recipes from
this year's competitors, USBG and DIAGEO reminds you to do so
responsibly.
For additional information about the program and for details on
the upcoming global competition, follow hashtags #worldclassus,
#worldclass2023 and #roadtobrazil on Twitter and Instagram, and
check us out online at https://worldclass.usbg.org and
https://www.usbg.org/.
About USBG
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders' Guild®️ is the
national, member-led not-for-profit association of bartenders and
other hospitality professionals that unites and elevates the bar
industry through education, community, and advocacy. Through its
network, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning,
expert instruction, service projects, and skills-based competition,
all while fostering a fun and healthy environment and reinforcing
the importance of the 'third place' in neighborhoods across the
country.
About DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding
collection of brands including Johnnie
Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel
One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don
Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and
Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and
the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world.
For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and
performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global
responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for
information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information
about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
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SOURCE DIAGEO