Diageo Reserve World Class – India Competition is a unique platform for bartenders to
showcase their talent and get recognized not only in India but all over the world
by winning the competition and getting a chance to represent India on world
stage. Diageo’s focus on nurturing young talent in India needs no verification
as this was their 7th successful edition and in all past events they
have produced new influencers in bartending industry.
The 7th
edition finale of Diageo Reserve World Class India was organized on 1st
June at Hotel ShangRi-La Bengaluru where top 20 finalist from all across India were
tested on various parameters in many rounds. All of these finalists were representing
India’s leading hotels and bars, some with less experience and some with more
experience as bartenders. The Jury for this event had Feroze Merchant, Head of Luxury, USL
Diageo, Nicholas Ord, USL Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, Jamie
Walker, USL Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, Serhan Kusakisizoglu, Director
of Corporate Projects, Shangri La, Nicole Faria, ex Miss Earth 2010 and Manu
Chandra, Chef Partner Toast & Tonic (Bangalore), Monkey Bar (Delhi,
Bangalore and Mumbai).
The Top 6 with host Dan |
Nicole and Jamie, tasting to test |
The competition had been running for last 6 months and bartenders from
many of the prominent bars all over India competed at regional levels and 20
out of those came into grand finale in Bengaluru. The top 3 finalists were
decided after testing their skills in 3 different rounds: The Pantry Round, The
Speed Round and The Mystery Box Round. Each bartender went through a rigorous
training procedure to survive till the end and they were equally excited to get
a chance to be in Miami representing India. Jitender Singh representing Story,
Gurgaon was able to impress Judges more than any other competitor with his execution
and speed and finally came out victorious and got the crown of Diageo Reserve
World Class 2016 Indian bartender of the Year thus getting the pass to be at Diageo Reserve World Class Global Finals to be held in Miami
in September, 2016. Vikram Kumar
and Dilbar Singh from Delhi/Noida impressed
the judges too but were just few notches away from winning it and got the
second and third position respectively.
Jitender Singh, mixing it to win |
Announcing the winner, Feroze Merchant, Head of Luxury, United Spirits
Ltd - a Diageo Group company said, “Diageo Reserve World Class is
considered one of the most respected bartender competitions both in India and
globally. The competition celebrates the best bartenders who set industry
trends and standards. We have inspired the bartender community and every year
have participants from the best outlets in India.
The Winning moments |
Exhilarated with winning such a tough competition Jitender Singh said,
“It’s a real honour to be the Diageo Reserve World Class India Bartender of the
Year 2016. The platform has given me an opportunity to learn from the best in
the industry and I can confidently say that I have grown enormously as a
professional through this journey. It feels extremely rewarding to compete with
the best bartenders in the world and represent India at the Global Finals in Miami.
I can’t wait to bring the Global title back to India!”
Get access to all tweets for the event at #WorldClassIn
Get access to all tweets for the event at #WorldClassIn
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