PR90543

LONDON, July 9, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- CANADA'S JAMES GRANT TAKES THE NUMBER 1 SPOT AT DIAGEO WORLD CLASS BARTENDER

OF THE YEAR GLOBAL FINALS 2021

James Grant representing Canada has been named the world's best bartender for

2021 at the first-ever fully virtual World Class Global Final.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1560519/Canada_James_Grant.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1560520/James_Grant_Canada.jpg

Over five days, James and 49 other extraordinary bartenders were streamed live

from their home countries as they virtually competed against each other in a

series of unique challenges that tested their skills, creativity and

showmanship.

James said: "I can't believe I've won! All the bartenders were incredible and

to be chosen as this year's winner, after the year we've all had is

unbelievable. When I started my journey in bartending I never thought it would

lead me here. I was simply inspired by the community and creativity of everyone

around me, it was infectious and soon I had fallen in love with the craft and

opportunities. It gave me the drive and determination to seek out the best in

the business to learn from and that's what got me here today. I want to thank

all those who have been part of that journey and now I want to inspire up and

coming bartenders to find a career and a creative outlet in the extraordinary

world of bartending."

A virtual competition didn't mean the challenges were any less ambitious with

the finalists tasked to create a Johnnie Walker highball that reflected the

flavours and culture of their home city; host a masterclass for making a World

Class Tanqueray No. Ten cocktail at home; design a Ketel One vodka cocktail

that had a positive environmental impact and a sense of community at its core,

and produce an original subterranean-inspired Don Julio serve. The week was

rounded off with a special edition 'Malts' speed round challenge using The

Singleton and Talisker, that not only tested the finalists' efficiency but also

the quality and design of their cocktails.

Simon Earley, Global Head of Diageo World Class, said: "Our first-ever virtual

World Class Global Final has been a huge success and has resulted in one the

most innovative and creative competitions we have ever seen. The judges were

blown away by James' creativity and originality, creating serves that were

amazing to experience visually, virtually and in person. They are a fully

deserving winner and I'm really excited to start working with them as a World

Class ambassador in the year ahead."

Innovation was at the heart of this fully virtual competition, with a

production and broadcast hub based in a London studio alongside a selection of

our locally-based judges, and avatar bartenders assigned to mix each

competitor's cocktails while the on-screen finalist made and presented the

drinks to the judges live from their own country. This novel idea allowed for

the expert judging panel of former winners, award-winning mixologists, drinks

writers and journalists to taste and critique the cocktails in real time and

experience these creations just as they would have in a real-life event.

During the week, as well as a live stream of the competition, there was a

packed itinerary of immersive virtual experiences that viewers could engage

with online. The content ranged from actor and Tanqueray No. Ten global

partner, Stanley Tucci meeting his World Class match with World Class judge and

Director of Mixology at the Connaught, Ago Perrone; to a dynamic panel

discussion between some of the industry's leading movers and shakers on the

future of socialising, featuring Diageo's Global Head of Digital Innovation,

Benjamin Lickfett and drinks trailblazer, Ryan Chetiyawardana, a.k.a Mr Lyan.

Diageo Global Reserve Director, Pedro Mendonça said: "World Class is an

extraordinary festival of creativity and experiences. From the competitors to

the virtual Taste of the Future experiences, we got to see how drinks culture

is evolving and it's exciting. It was also fantastic to see such commitment

from our finalists, judges and friends to championing positive drinking, a key

focus for Diageo and all its brands across everything we do."

This year's winner, James, is the twelfth bartender to enter the World Class

Hall of Fame, and today marks the start of an exciting 12 months that will see

them judging World Class national heats; inspiring 2022 hopefuls and crowning

regional champions.

Simon Earley added: "For more than 12 months the hospitality industry has been

one of the hardest hit, but what this year has shown is the creativity,

innovation and camaraderie that lives within our bartender community and we are

delighted that we were able to showcase just some of this spirit within the

World Class Competition.

Since its launch in 2009, Diageo World Class has played a significant role in

inspiring better drinking and transforming cocktail culture around the world.

Over 400,000 bartenders across the globe have been supported, trained and

inspired by World Class since its inception.

For more information on World Class and to keep you up to date with the latest

drinks, trends and training, visit www.diageobaracademy.com/en_zz/world-class-/

and follow @WorldClass

SOURCE Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals