First five Diageo World Class UK finalists named

Diageo Reserve has announced the first five UK finalists of its World Class cocktail competition following rounds of intense scrutiny.

The first five UK finalists of Diageo Reserve World Class have been named

London’s Luca Corradini, of the American Bar at The Savoy, Tim Laferla, of the Red Bar at Bam-Bou, and Kyle Wilkinson, of the Blind Pig, were selected alongside Edinburgh’s Jon Hughes, of Bramble Bar, and Manchester’s Jamie Jones, of No Fixed Abode.

All five bartenders proceed to the next stage of the competition held at Drummuir Castle in Scotland this June, where they will compete against an additional five finalists, who will be announced in April.

The grand finale of the competition will take place this September in Cape Town, South Africa.

“This year we have put competing bartenders through the paces more than ever, with rigorous challenges designed to test their sensory, accuracy, hosting and mixology skills,” said Daniel Dove, Diageo Reserve World Class brand ambassador.

“The standard has been higher than ever and we can’t wait to see our finalists compete for a place in the global final, taking place in South Africa this September.”

As well as taking the title of the UK World Class Bartender of the Year and representing his or her country in the competition’s global final, the winner will become a World Class judge and mentor and have the opportunity to create their own cocktail collection book.

The bar in which the winner works will also be awarded a one-off £10,000 marketing fund to create its own World Class serve.

Last year, US bartender Charles Joly, of The Aviary in Chicago, was named Diageo Reserve World Class 2014 winner.