Diageo World Class GB announces top 10
The top 10 finalists for Diageo World Class GB have been revealed, with the national final to take place in Scotland in June.
The finalists have been whittled down from a long list of 100, all of whom served up cocktails as part of the Diageo World Class 2025 festival last month. Each participating bar served three bespoke cocktails inspired by their local community and based around a Diageo-owned spirit, such as Don Julio Tequila, The Singleton whisky and alcohol-free brand Seedlip.
These 100 bartenders then attended the World Class Judging Roadshow, where the final 10 were selected. Judges included Monica Berg of Tayēr + Elementary; Sandrae Lawrence of The Cocktail Lovers; Millie Tang of De Vie; World Class ambassador Jo Last; and Don Julio brand ambassador Cara Watson.
The top 10 GB bartenders are:
- Lottie Barnard, Below Stairs, Leeds
- Sean Cavanagh, Hey Palu, Edinburgh
- Mathew Arnold, Passing Fancies, Birmingham
- Luke Riley, Restaurant Pine, Newcastle
- Mathew Smith, Brain Jar, Hull
- Chelsie Bailey, Stonegate, London
- Yvonne P, Kwãnt, London
- Laurie Howells, Archive & Myth, London
- Oscar Perry, Murder Inc, London
- Emanuele Mensah, The Connaught Bar, London
The next stage is a three-day immersive event in Scotland, where one winner will be selected to represent Great Britain on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, in September.
The winner of the national final will also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the global final in Toronto, an ‘unforgettable journey’ to New York City, a Soho House membership, and a two-year talent representation with Global Bartending.
Earlier this year, 2024’s GB winner Danilo Frigulti told us how the competition shaped him – and why he believes anyone in the industry should take on the challenge.
The winner of World Class India was named last month, with Navjot Singh of speakeasy bar Lair bagging the title.
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