MIAMI, September 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Jennifer Le Nechet has been
crowned the world's best bartender at the climax of the global
cocktail competition WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 2016 in
Miami.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160926/411770 )
The French bartender, usually found crafting drinks and
charming customers behind the bar at Café Moderne in
Paris, wowed the judges
by creating a spectacular range of vibrant drinks at her
Steampunk themed pop-up bar.
Nearly 10,000 bartenders from all over the world entered the
competition, with 56 selected to represent their country at the
Miami finals. An elite group of
six made it through the final round which saw them conceive and
create a pop-up bar in just 24 hours. Each challenge showcased a
different skill from the bartender's armoury: technique,
personality, spirits knowledge and how well they perform under
pressure.
Selecting top brands from Diageo's Reserve portfolio including
Ketel One vodka, Cîroc, Don Julio,
Tanqueray No TEN, Bulleit, Zacapa rum and Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Blended Scotch Whisky, the bartenders crafted classic cocktails and
created their own recipes. They also went up against the clock to
mix up to fourteen quintessential drinks in just 10 minutes.
Jennifer Le Nechet, the first female bartender to claim the
title, said: "I'm completely blown away
- it's such an honour to take home the
title of World's Best Bartender -
especially when competing against such talent from around the
world. This week has inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries
of flavours and to explore how all the senses can be engaged
through cocktails. I can't wait for the experience
ahead!"
Le Nechet is set for a whirlwind year of adventure
- she will have the chance to travel the world as a
Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, judging competitions and making
bespoke drinks in far-flung locations.
Alex Kratena, former Head Bartender of Artesian London said:
"The standard this year has been absolutely
phenomenal. It's been just so difficult to choose
between these bartenders. Jennifer just nailed it in the Superstar
Pool Party showing all the skills you could want in a bartender,
and her pop-up bar blew us all away with its cool Stempunk theme
and twist on classic cocktails with homemade emulsions, cola and
organic ingredients. These bartenders really are at the top
of their game and the five runners up were worthy contenders. Not
only can they pull off all the classics flawlessly, but they are
developing new and exciting techniques every step of the
way."
Johanna Dalley, Global World
Class Director said: "This week has been a whirlwind of
creativity, flair and amazing talent - truly raising the role
of the bartender to be on a par with that of the
world's leading chefs. And that's what
WORLD CLASS is all about, inspiring people to drink better and
appreciate great drinks in the same way they appreciate great food.
The final six were exceptional and it was an extremely close final,
however we're delighted to name Jennifer as our
winner and our first female WORLD CLASS Bartender of the
Year."
At the Awards evening, Mexico
City was also revealed as the location for the WORLD CLASS
Bartender of the Year Global Final 2017.
Dalley continued, "This year, WORLD CLASS will
take cocktail culture to a new level in Mexico City, and there could be no better
place for this, since for many years, this city been developing
into one of the most vibrant capitals for food, drink and
culture."
WORLD CLASS is on a mission to inspire people to drink better
and shape the future of drinking, whether at home or in the bar. If
you have been inspired to drink better, visit theworldclassclub.com
or the WORLD CLASS Facebook community, where you can find delicious
recipes, how-to videos and get the low-down on the latest
trends.
Notes to editors:
The Finalists
Finalists representing each of these countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Grand
Cayman, Greece,
Hong Kong & Macau, Iceland, India, Indian Ocean, Ireland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway,
Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto
Rico, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South
Africa, South Korea,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, Uruguay, United
Kingdom, US and Vietnam.
Cruise Ships are also represented by finalists from these
sectors.
About WORLD CLASS
WORLD CLASS is on a mission to inspire people to drink better
and create unforgettable experiences in the process. Whether
at home or in a bar, WORLD CLASS encourages consumers to think and
care about fine drinking in the same way they care about fine
dining.
WORLD CLASS has supported, trained and inspired 250,000
bartenders across the globe over the past eight years, while
partnering them with the world's finest spirits - the Diageo
Reserve Collection. WORLD CLASS is also the authority on the drinks
industry whom consumers look to for the information on the latest
drinks trends, cocktail recipes and industry insight.
World Class hosts the 'WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year' - the
world's most prestigious bartending competition. After local
competition around the globe, 56 of the world's finest bartenders
compete to be crowned the world's best bartender.
Visit theworldclassclub.com for more information.
About Diageo Reserve
Created in 2004, Diageo's Reserve division focuses on the global
luxury opportunity, bringing together brands built on strong
heritage, craftsmanship and authenticity. This luxury portfolio
consists of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Cîroc, Don Julio, Tanqueray No. TEN, Ketel One vodka,
Zacapa and a fine collection of Single Malts. The Reserve portfolio
accounts for over 15% of Diageo's total sales, and has grown by 7%
this financial year.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an
outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B,
Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas,
Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio,
Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world. For more information about
Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
http://www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking
resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and
ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.