Cocktail King of the World

Congratulations to Mr Erik Lorincz from Connaught Bar, London that has claimed the prestigious title of Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2010!!!!

After a year long search which saw 9000 bartenders from around the globe shake, stir and pour their way through national heats, just 24 of the most talented and inspirational bartenders congregated in beautiful Athens to go head to head over four days of challenges.

The six themed challenges ranged from, ‘Architecture’ which tested the bartenders ingenuity and ability to adapt fresh ingredients from a local market to create a cocktail out of their chosen produce, to ‘History’ which examined the bartenders’ knowledge of mixology and pursuit of perfection.

In-between all the excitement we managed to catch up with one of the elite judges, Dale DeGroff, and he commented saying, “What’s most impressive about Diageo Reserve World Class is how every aspect of the craft of bartending is tested by the challenges and judges. You need to be creative, thorough and skilled – it’s daunting. Each year I learn different skills from everyone I meet at World Class including the contestants. These 21st century bartenders are the pioneers of a new golden age of the craft.” An incredible experience was had by all involved, each taking away with them some very special memories.

Year after year, bartenders are receiving more recognition for their exceptional craft and the excitement and passion in cocktail culture keeps growing, so we thank you all who contribute to the World Class standard.

( Source: www.weareworldclass.com )

GARY REGAN

DALE DEGROFF AND ANGUS WINCHESTER

– World Class Bartender of the Year 2010 Winner:
Erik Lorincz, The Connaught, London, United Kingdom

– World Class Bartender of the Year 2010 Runner- up:
Do Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Korea

– **World Class Bartender of the Year 2010 Third Place:
**MAX LA ROCCA, Sheen Falls Lodge Relais & Chateaux, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

The Podium: Erick Lorincz, Do Hwan Eom, Max La Rocca

..AND THE WINNERS OF THE SIX CHALLENGES ARE:

– **World Class ‘Theatre’ Challenge Winner – Ritual & Cocktail Theatre
**MAX LA ROCCA, Sheen Falls Lodge Relais & Chateaux, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

– World Class ‘Gastronomy’ Challenge Winner – Canapé Matching
Jordi Otero, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Spain

– World Class ‘Architecture’ Challenge Winner – Market Challenge
Do-Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Korea

– World Class ‘Art’ Challenge Winner – Speed & Taste
Heinz Kaiser, DINO’S American Bar, Vienna, Austria

– World Class ‘History’ Challenge Winner – Classic Cocktails
Timo Janse, Door 74, Amsterdam, Netherlands

– World Class ‘Philosophy’ Challenge Winner – Cocktail Mastery
Torsten Spuhn, Modern Master Bar and Lounge, Erfut, Germany

SPEED AN TASTE CHALLENGE

RITUAL & THEATRE CHALLENGE

Announcement of the RITUAL & THEATRE CHALLENGE WINNER

DIAGEO WORLD CLASS 2010 GLOBAL FINAL CEREMONY
Announcement of 1st 2nd and 3d Place

Some of Max La Rocca’s Jugdes Feedback:

-“Best Aviaton in the competition” (Salvatore Calabrese – Classic Challenge);

-“You can see the Italian School of Bartending in this performance even representing another beautiful country” ( Dale Degroff – Market Challenge);

-“Excellent perfomance, elegance and nice organization of the counter” (Hidetsugu Ueno – Speed and taste);

-“Beautiful Whisky Cocktails made with Passion” (Gary Regan – Mastery Challenge);

-In the Ritual & Theatre Challenge Peter Dorelli when presented with an unexpected iPhone and listening to the music while sipping JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL: “I feel like I’m flying”.