Diageo World Class names UAE champion
Sharfin Auni of Nobu Dubai has triumphed as World Class United Arab Emirates (UAE) Bartender of the Year 2026 and will progress to the global final in Scotland.
Auni’s win comes during a testing time in the region, with the conflict in the Middle East forcing this year’s global final to be moved from Dubai to Scotland. Diageo said it “remains committed” to bringing the final back to Dubai in 2027.
She was crowned World Class UAE Bartender of the Year 2026 on her third go at the competition, and will now represent the UAE at the World Class global finals in Scotland later this year.
Auni said: “Coming back to the finals for the third year and finally taking the title of World Class UAE Bartender of the Year 2026 feels surreal.
“It’s been a journey of constant learning and pushing myself further each time. World Class has given me so much, not just as a competition, but through the people and the community around it. I’m really excited to represent the UAE at the global finals in Scotland and bring it home!”
The other regional finalists were Patrick Rowson and Rafael Soler of Sexy Fish, following competition from more than 200 bartenders across the region.
The trio competed in two distinct challenges. The first, a speed challenge, required them to make five cocktails in five minutes, including one serve with Guinness.
The second, titled ‘Don Julio Own the Night’, asked each bartender to present a pre-developed tableside mixer concept paired with Don Julio Reposado, which could be produced at scale and served across the venue.
Antoinette Drumm, managing director of Diageo in The Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said: “The 2026 finals were a powerful reflection of the strength and resilience within the UAE’s bartending community, with the industry coming together to celebrate Patrick, Sharfin and Rafael.
“The level of talent we’ve seen, despite the challenges the industry is facing, is a true testament to the individuals behind it. World Class exists to support and elevate that talent, and Shaaz is a true representation of what the community stands for today.”
The judging panel for the UAE finals included: Marco Corallo, beverage director at Saikindo; Laura Duca, beverage manager at Atlantis The Palm; Russel Sanchez, World Class UAE Winner 2009; Francesco Galdi, corporate operations and beverage manager at Buddha Bar Worldwide; Lana Shemonaeva, managing partner at Lady Bird; Nana Sechere, regional beverage expert; Tibor Krascsenics, group beverage director at La Petite Maison; Ross Matthews-Smith, co-founder and CEO of Fibber Magee’s; and Jimmy Barrat, World Class UAE Alumni.
Recognising the current situation in the Middle East, Diageo World Class UAE recently launched a Humans of Hospitality programme to support local talent in one of the most challenging periods for UAE’s hospitality industry in recent years. The programme spotlights the region’s bartenders through digital profiles, short-form video content and storytelling.
In March, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announced the top 15 US finalists for the 2026 World Class competition.
Last week, the 10 finalists to determine Great Britain’s representative were revealed.
Karan Dhanelia, the head mixologist at Atelier V in Indore, will represent India.
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