Close Menu
News

Canadian bartender wins World Class global final

Canadian bartender Kaitlyn Stewart has swiped the title of Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2017 following the competition’s global final in Mexico City last night.

Kaitlyn Stewart has been named ‘world’s best bartender’ following the Diageo World Class 2017 global final

Throughout the course of this week, Stewart went head-to-head with more than 50 other bartenders from around the world in a series of global final rounds, including the classic cocktail Lucha Libre round, culinary-inspired Heat of the Moment contest, and the sustainable bartending Mex ECO challenge.

Stewart will now travel the world as a Diageo Reserve brand ambassador, and will become the ninth member of the World Class Hall of Fame. Jennifer Le Nechet from Café Moderne in Paris was named World Class Bartender of the Year 2016. 

“I’m so incredibly amazed and shocked to have been named the world’s best bartender,” she said. “It’s been a gruelling week, taking on the toughest challenges against some of most skilled bartenders I’ve ever met.

“Participating in the finals was amazing enough but to finish the week as winner… I’m so delighted. Cocktails are on the up now more than ever and to be at the forefront of that, pushing forward the idea of using better ingredients and better recipes to create even better cocktails is something I’m really passionate about and I’ve loved every moment of this experience.”

More than 10,000 bartenders from 57 countries entered the latest Diageo World Class, making it the biggest cocktail and bartending competition in the world.

A total of 55 bartenders were selected to go through to the final in Mexico City this week. In addition to Stewart, the final four consisted of: Mate Csatlos from Denmark, Kevin Patnode from Turkey, and Andrea Gualdi from Australia.

“This is a special week in the bartender calendar and it didn’t disappoint – we have truly been blown away,” said Johanna Dalley, global director of World Class. “Cocktail culture is booming and these World Class finalists are the people who are leading the way, helping the industry grow from strength to strength.”

Diageo World Class will host its 10th global final in Berlin next year.

“Berlin is famous for its diverse nightlife and vibrant bar culture – a perfect place to host our 2018 World Class finals,” added Dalley.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No