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Social Company’s Jones wins World Class UK final

Following a gruelling two-day final, Jamie Jones of The Social Company has been named Diageo Reserve GB’s World Class Bartender of the Year 2017.

Jamie Jones of The Social Company

Held at The Mondrian, London, the final saw Jones battle it out with 10 competitors from across the UK in a technical assessment, creative challenge, flavour workshop and food pairing presentation.

Jones’ winning serves included a Tanqueray No. Ten Martini made with hemp, lemon and lime oil-washed Ketel One Vodka, and his signature serve The Rumours Brew, comprising Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Ancho Reyes Verde, Banane du Bresil, fresh lime juice, fresh pineapple juice and Hitachino Japanese rice beer.

The judging panel comprised Dan Dove, head of Diageo Reserve World Class; David Beatty, Ketel One brand ambassador, Aidan Bowie, head bartender at Dandelyan; Dennis Zoppi, Italy’s 2012 winner; Pritesh Mody of World of Zing; Ago Perrone of The Connaught; Barrie Wilson of Scotch + Limon; and editor of The Cocktail Lovers, Sandrae Lawrence.

“World Class is a competition designed to celebrate the very best in bartending, inspire excellence and innovation and lead modern cocktail culture,” said Dove.

“Jamie truly reflects what it means to be a World Class bartender; he blew the judges away with his exceptional appreciation of flavour, sensory harmony, technique and of course ability to create and host quality and memorable experiences.

“We’re very proud to call Jamie the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2017 – and can’t wait to support him in preparation for the global final in August in Mexico City.”

Jones’ signature serve The Rumours Brew

The first challenge, Made in Mexico, analysed competitors’ ability to balance and enhance flavour through a twist on the classic Sangrita or Verdita using Don Julio Tequila.

A workshop exploring the use of oils, solubility and their ability to carry flavour and create texture in cocktails followed, bartenders created their own essential oils to be used in a Martini.

The signature serve round tasked competitors with the UK and Mexico City to create a drink unique to each competitor, inspired by fusion cooking.

The final challenge, A Table of Eight, saw finalists create three drinks to be served alongside a three course dining experience for a table of eight guests.

Jones’s food pairing began with the Tanqueray No. Ten Martini followed by an jelly gin and tonic amuse-bouche.

His final serve was presented in an augmented reality format seen at City Social – a Michelin-starred restaurant that forms part of The Social Company.

Guests pointed a purpose-built app at the drink, bringing its surroundings to life with a performance by a Day of the Dead-themed skeleton mariachi band.

“The last two days have been so intense but incredibly rewarding,” said Jones. “I’ve had the chance to work with an unbelievable bunch of bartenders, ambassadors and even flavour chemists, which has been a huge privilege alone. I can’t wait to head to Mexico City for the next stage of the competition and the chance to represent Great Britain.”

Jones competed against Liam Broom of Callooh Callay; Constanca Cordeiro of Peg and Patriot; Alf Del Portillo of The Natural Philosopher; Aiden Page of The Bar with No Name; Martin Hudak, The American Bar at The Savoy; Jerome Allaguillemette, Sexy Fish; Sean Fennelly, The Principal Hotel Company; Jamie Jones, The Social Company; James Bowker, The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel; Thomas Matthews, The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel; and Jon Hughes, Bramble.

Alongside the trip to Mexico City to represent Great Britain in the global final, he has won access the European World Class boot camp, a trip to Don Julio in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, a trip to Schiedam to the Ketel One Vodka distillery, a bespoke whisky trip to Scotland, a£500 voucher for a personalised Cocktail Kingdom kit, Caracalla World Class bespoke bartender hand luggage, and a professional signature serve and profile photoshoot with a top industry photographer.

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