THE search is on for the next Bartender of the Year as Diageo Reserve World Class, the cocktail industry’s most prestigious mixology competition in the world, is launched in stylish fashion a Blackbird, Nielsen Tower, in Makati.
Twenty of the country’s most talented bartenders, representing 16 of the finest food and bar establishments in the metro, will take part in the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2015 competitions to be staged in the third quarter of 2015. The winner gets to represent the Philippines in the world competition, where over 50 of the world’s best bartenders will pit their skills, techniques and knowledge against each other in front of the cognoscenti of the bartending industry.
So the 20 finalists for the Philippine competition lost no time in showcasing their skills behind the bar during the launch.
Taking turns manning five bars spread out in different areas of the venue—shaking, pouring and stirring—the 20 participating bartenders are Gavino Lazarra if 71 Gramercy, Kenneth Bandivas of ABV, Sean Carlo de Vera of Black Sheep, Poch Ancheta of The Curator, James Ortiz of Fairmont Lounge Bar, Dondz Bolante of Finders Keepers, Anthony White of Hooch, Michael Anthony Laude of M Café, Vanessa Correa of Nest Modern Table & Bar, Mark Herrera of Niner Ichi Nana, Orman Bag-ao of Raffles Long Bar, Michael Tubiera of Rambla, Dianne See of Saboten, Sam Alcantara and Reymond de Jesus of Makati Shangri-La Hotel’s Sage Bar, Em-Em Bautista and Efren Madrigal of Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Jesus Emmanuel Saludo of Solaire Resorts & Casino, and Alyona Jeffery of Speakeasy.
They all prepared cocktails inspired by the world’s greatest destinations, using some of the fine 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, Tanqueray No. Ten, and Bulleit Bourbon.
Joining the finalists when they were formally presented was Tanqueray Global Ambassador Barrie Wilson. Wilson even found time and opportunity to conduct special mentoring sessions at the Blackbird Cabin in an ode to Tanqueray No. Ten’s new bottle design. Small groups of guests were led up the spiral staircase leading to the Blackbird Cabin, where a long tale awaited them, with Wilson standing up front, framed by well-lit glass cabinets full of Tanqueray No. Ten’s gleaming green bottles. The Global Ambassador of Tanqueray Barrie Wilson then mixed up a Martini drink made of 25 ml. each of Tanqueray London Dry, Calvados or apple brandy, and apricot brandy, stirred them together with ice cubes and served them in chilled glasses with a squeeze of orange juice straight from a wedge of the fruit.
“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. It is without a doubt that the upcoming competition will bring each participant to push his own boundaries and test unfamiliar flavors and techniques, which he will be getting his hands on in some of the best bars from all over the globe,” says Wilson.
To this, Diageo Philippines general manager Jon Good adds, “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 we’re happy to show everyone what our country has to offer.”
Now on its seventh year globally, World Class continues to elevate the craft, innovation and creativity within the cocktail industry. It helps build careers in the industry and has through the years been instrumental in changing the lives of the next generation of bartending talents. No doubt it is set to change the life of this year’s bartending champion as well.
