Diageo Reserve Launches Bartender of The Year 2015 competition.

One of the most respected and prestigious mixology competition took off a few weeks ago in search for the next Bartender of the Year by Diageo Reserve World Class.

Held at Blackbird, Ayala Triangle in Makati City last January 26. We prepared ourselves with what was about to happen. ( A tipsy walk back to the parking lot)

The search and competition gathers twenty of the country’s most talented bartenders from sixteen of Manila’s finest establishments. They will all be taking part in the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2015 competition. 

The place was packed and a lot of different mobile bars were set up for the 20 bartenders. They prepared cocktails inspired by the world’s greatest destinations using some of the finest spirits from the Diageo Reserve portfolio including brands such as Ketel One vodka, Cîroc vodka, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label, Don Julio Tequila, The Singleton of Glen Ord, TanquerayNo. TEN, and Bulleit Bourbon. 

Here are the 20 bartenders.

1. GavinoLazarra from 71 Gramercy
2. Kenneth Bandivas from ABV
3. Sean Carlo de Vera from Black Sheep
4. Poch Ancheta from The Curator
5. James Ortiz from Fairmont Lounge Bar
6. DondzBolante from Finders Keepers
7. Anthony White from Hooch
8. Michael Anthony Laude from M Café
9. Vanessa Correa from Nest Modern Table & Bar
10. Mark Herrera from NinerIchi Nana
11. Orman Bag-ao from Raffles-Long Bar
12. Michael Tubiera from Rambla
13. Dianne See from Saboten
14. Sam Alcantara from Sage Bar, Makati Shangri-la
15. Reymond de Jesus from Sage Bar, Makati Shangri-la
16. Em-Em Bautista from Sofitel Philippine Plaza
17. Efren Madrigal from Sofitel Philippine Plaza
18. FlomelRapues from Solaire Resorts & Casino
19. Jesus Emmanuel Saludo from Solaire Resorts & Casino
20. Alyona Jeffery from Speakeasy

We were also treaded to some mixology appreciation by some of the ambassadors of the brands under the Diageo belt.

Diageo Reserve flew in Tanqueray Global Ambassador Barrie Wilson, who conducted special mentoring sessions at the Blackbird Cabin in an ode to Tanqueray No. TEN’s new bottle design, which celebrates the famous golden era of cocktails when the Martini was the connoisseurs’ drink of choice.

Barrie Wilson - Tanqueray Global Ambassador

 There were also some personalities who attended the said event.

Liz Uy and Raymond Gutierrez,

Dee Jae Pa’este, Jericson Co, Erwan Heussaff and David Ong

Sanya Smith and Mars Miranda

 “World Class is back and is bigger than ever for the Philippines this year, and we are proud to send out a representative from one of the best bars for the upcoming global competition,” shares Jon Good, General Manager for Diageo Philippines

Jon Good, General Manager for Diageo Philippines

“This stellar 20-bartender lineup represents the thriving cocktail culture that we have in the Philippines—a culture that is continuously and steadily growing—and tonight, we’re happy and excited to shine the spotlight on these talented men and women to show everyone what our country has to offer.” added Jon Good.

The launch of Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2015 marked the start of a flavorful journey for all bartending hopefuls. From January to May of this year, each market will host a series of qualifying heats and finals to find the most talented and inspirational of bartenders. The winner will go on to compete in the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year Finals, where fifty of the world’s best bartenders will pit their skills, impeccable technique, and knowledge against each other in front of the cognoscenti of the bartending industry.

Barrie Wilson

“DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS will put everything in the realm of bartending to the test. The competition requires creativity and precision. On top of that, it puts weight on the performance that each bartender puts forth behind the bar for his or her customer. It’s about that connection that they form with who they present their drink to,” shares Barrie Wilson. “It is without a doubt that the upcoming competition will bring each representative to push their own boundaries and to test out unfamiliar flavors and techniques, which they will be getting their hands on in some of the best bars from all over the globe.”

Now on its 7th year globally, World Class continues to elevate the craft, innovation, and creativity within the cocktail industry. “World Class helps build careers in the industry and has been instrumental in changing the lives of the next generation of bartending talent.”