Jakarta, 26th April 2019 – One step closer to the finals of Indonesia World Class Competition 2019. From the Top 30 bartenders that qualified for semi-finals, Diageo has now chosen the Top 8 who are in the run to compete at the final round in Bali.
Slightly different from the usual, this year’s competition is especially different because of the way Diageo Indonesia selected its bartenders. In the past few years, bartenders from all over Indonesia would come to Jakarta to participate in a live competition for the World Class committee to judge. However, this year, Diageo Brand Ambassador WawanKoerniawan, personally visited and assessed each bartender in their workplace.
By visiting the bartender and conducting the assessment at their workplace, Diageo Indonesia allowed or the bartenders to show their best performance and best skills, as there’s a sense of ownership with the environment. The assessment took place in 30 bars and restaurants in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya and Semarang where WawanKoerniawan and team evaluated the bartenders based on 5 factors. First one is hosting: details on how the bartenders show their communication skills. Second is crafting: techniques on how they make and present the drink. Third is flavor analysis: assessment of the taste and aroma of the cocktail, the spirit selection and whether it is balanced or not. Fourth is knowledge: judging how much they know about the Diageo spirit and the cocktail’s making process. Last one is story behind the drink, the continuityoftheinspirationbetweentheconceptandthenameofthedrinks.
In the final round, the bartenders have to deliver their best to create flavorful yet fascinating drinks using Diageo Reserve Brands, which include Johnnie Walker, The Singleton, Bulleit Bourbon, Ron Zacapa, Ketel One Vodka, Ciroc, Tanqueray No.10 and Don Julio.The World Class Indonesia winner then will represent Indonesia and encounter the biggest bartender competition to World Class final in Glasgow in September 2019.
Hereby is the name the Top 8 the bartenders who are through to the final round (in alphabetical order):
1. Benny Michael – Hotel Monopoly Jakarta
2. Charles Richard – Hakkasan Jakarta
3. Daniel Gerves – Alila Seminyak Bali
4. Henry Maraben – Lowey Bar & Bistro Jakarta
5. I Putu Aris Sanjaya – Bikini Bali
6. Jacob Manurung – Djournal House Jakarta
7. Melvern – W Hotel Bali
8. Panji Wisrawan – Da Romeo Bali
The World Class competition aims to set the standard for the hospitality industry when it comes to bartending by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and elevating the quality of mixed drinks. Through this platform, bartenders from around the country have a platform to express themselves through their new and innovative creations. Not only does this provide them with great exposure locally, but the winner of the local competition gets to compete on a global scale and showcase the best of what Indonesia has to offer.
As socially responsible company, Diageo actively promotes moderation in alcohol consumption through different initiatives globally and locally. These include Join the Pact, Responsible Drinking campaign and Diageo Bar Academy. The purpose of these activities is to educate consumers on responsible drinking and drink enjoyment, including raising the consumer awareness of Diageo product quality and originality. Through World Class, Diageo also convey the message of cocktail culture drink enjoyment. For more info about Diageo’s global responsibledrinkinginformation, initiatives, andwaystosharebestpractice, resource, please visit www.DRINKiQ.com.
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