It was festival of color, flair and
delicious cocktails as the World’s best bartenders converged in Miami
Florida to indulge in fine cocktails using some of the world’s best
brands and also to choose the Winner for World Class 2016.
World Class is a platform that 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 that consumers look to for
information on the latest drinks trends, cocktail recipes and industry
insight. World Class also hosts the ‘World Class Bartender of the Year’ – the world’s most prestigious bartending competition.
This year, 56 Bartenders from all over
the world competed to be crowned the World’s best bartender. Nigeria was
ably represented by the Head of Reserve Nigeria, Joe Nazzal, Businessman and Owner of Club Play Abuja, Charles Okpaleke, Chairman of Aquila Group, Shina Peller, Owner of Caribbean Abuja, Abubakar Atodo, Onoja Adole, owner of Delphino Entertainment and Reserve Nigeria Brand Ambassador, Stephen Enumah.
According to Joe Nazzal, “World Class
presents a chance to introduce leaders of the “Nightlife” industry to
the opportunities that exist in igniting the cocktail culture in Nigeria
with the objective of establishing Nigeria as the cocktail destination
within West Africa and indeed the World”. The Nigerian contingent had
the opportunity of sampling different cocktails from all over the World
using brands from Diageo’s Reserve portfolio and also watched the
world’s top bartenders battle it out through different challenges that
tested different skill from the bartender’s armory: technique,
personality, spirits knowledge and how well they perform under pressure.
Eventually, Jennifer Le Nechet, a French bartender from the Café
Moderne in Paris wowed the judges by creating a spectacular range of
vibrant drinks at her Steampunk themed pop-up bar and was named the
World’ s No 1 Bartender. She’s also the first female Bartender to win
the competition.
Bartender training programs are already
underway across Nigeria’s top bars preparing for the next World Class
finals which will take place in Mexico. Nigeria will be participating
for the First time!.
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 Rum and a fine collection
of Single Malts.
For more information on WORLD CLASS and
the WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year competition. Please follow World
Class Nigeria @worldclassnigeria on Instagram and Facebook.
Note that these brands are for Adults 18 years and above. Please drink responsibly.
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