Diageo set to host 2014 World Class final in UK

Diageo Reserve is taking its prestigious World Class cocktail competition back to its roots by hosting the 2014 global final in the UK this summer.

Spanish bartender, David Rios, was crowned the winner of the Diageo World Class 2013

From 28 July to 1 August the world’s top 50 bartenders will take part in the global final, competing in a series of innovative challenges all over the country depicting stories of places, people and provenance.

For the first time ever, consumers will also be able to take part in the week through a series of master classes, cocktail themed events and the challenges themselves in order to “recruit consumers into the fine drinking culture”.

“World Class is a true celebration of the world’s best bartenders and fine-drinking experiences,” said Matteo Fantacchiotti, ‎global commercial director, Diageo Reserve. “From small beginnings in London, to international hot spots in Athens, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro and the high seas of the Mediterranean, this year we are proud to see World Class return to Great Britain, paying homage to its origins and showcasing its evolution into the world’s leading bartender event.”

The finalists will begin in Scotland where they will experience Diageo’s Scotch whisky portfolio, before boarding the World Class Express to St Pancras International, London.

There, the bartenders will take over a platform to compete in World Class Live – a “once-in-a-lifetime” challenge in front of consumers and travellers.

Last year’s global final took place on board a cruise ship in the Mediterranean where Spanish bartender, David Rios, was crowned the winner.

Leading up to the event, World Class will be airing the second season of the World Class Bartender of the Year 2013 across more than 20 major TV networks in more than 100 countries.

You can follow the competition on Facebook via the Global World Class Finals page: www.facebook.com/GlobalWorldClassFinals.