Diageo Reserve World Class- Hong Kong 2014 Bartender of the Year competition

Four winners from Summer Round competition announced

April 30th, 2014

Recently, Hong Kong saw twelve bartenders competing in the summer round of Diageo Reserve World Class Hong Kong Bartender of the Year. From a blind tasting to a written examination in the morning, each bartender was rigorously tested on his/her knowledge in the art of mixology and the production and history of luxury spirits. They then competed head to head, to shake, stir and pour their way through the cocktail challenge where drinks were created with fine spirits from Diageo Reserve’s luxury portfolio, under four categories; “Martini Experience” with Ketel One vodka, “After Dinner Cocktail” with Ron Zacapa rum, “Tropical Cocktail” with Don Julio tequila, and “Vintage Cocktail” made with Tanqueray No. TEN gin.
Winning bartenders Austen Philip Lendrum from Honi Honi Tiki Cocktail Lounge, Alexander Ko from Fatty Crab, Gerry Olino from Lobster Bar & Grill of Island Shangri-La and Teresa Moon from OZONE, will join the existing 6 bartender finalists to compete in the National Finals on 13 May, “World Cocktail Day”. The winner from the National Final will go on to represent Hong Kong in the Global Final, where the competition will return home to Great Britain from July 28 to August 1 2014. The dual-location event will highlight and combine Scotland’s art of blending and London’s contemporary global cocktail culture to reveal this year’s global finalist.

Now in its third year in Hong Kong, Diageo Reserve World Class continues to elevate local cocktail culture, both by challenging the rising stars of the trade and by pushing the envelope of the craft, to create more inspiring, ever-more creative drinks. Through World Class, Hong Kong’s bartending talent will continue to build their careers in an increasingly recognized industry, both locally and internationally.