Diageo reveals World Class UK finalists

The final five UK bartenders through to the regional final of Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 have been announced this week.

Diageo has put an additional five bartenders through to the UK World Class final

Following an intense day of challenges that put 50 bartenders from across the UK through their paces, just five have been chosen to compete in the British final against five other bartenders that secured their places in March.

Each bartender is competing for a chance of winning a spot at the global final in Cape Town, South Africa, this September.

The final five securing their places this week have been named as: Lorenzo Antinori of Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel, London; Michele Mariotti of American Bar at The Savoy Hotel, London; Benji Purslow of Keystone Crescent, London; Ali Reynolds of The Hawskmoor, London; and Ben Williams of Cloud 23, Manchester.

Daniel Dove, Diageo Reserve World Class brand ambassador, said: “Competition this year has been tougher than ever, with four arduous challenges that really tested the bartender’s sensory, accuracy, hosting and mixology skills.

“To win World Class is the ultimate accolade for a bartender so they have to pull out all the stops and we’ve seen some incredible talent which is really pushing the boundaries of expert bartending and fine drinks in the UK.”

Also through to the final following burst one in March, is: Luca Corradini of the American Bar at The Savoy, London; Tim Laferla of the Red Bar at Bam-Bou, London; Kyle Wilkinson of the Blind Pig, London; Jon Hughes of Bramble Bar; Edinburgh; and Jamie Jones of No Fixed Abode, Manchester.

The UK final will take place at Drummir Castle, home to Diageo’s Scotch whisky portfolio in Speyside, from 16-18 June.