2012 WORLD CLASS World-Class Bartenders Competition: Master Bartender Steve Schneider Performs in Taiwan

Courtesy of Diageo

The WORLD CLASS World-Class Bartenders Competition, hailed as the Oscars of the international bartending scene, will bring together up to 60 bartenders from across Taiwan for the Taiwan Regional Finals on April 16 and 17, 2012. They will go all out in fierce competition for the prestigious title of Taiwan’s No.1 bartender. Diageo specially invited Steve Schneider, ranked among New York’s top ten bartenders, to Taiwan to showcase the artistry of bartending and push the boundaries of imagination. He also demonstrated his sensational ice-smashing hammer stunt, a dazzling feat that left the audience in awe and kicked off the 2012 Taiwan competition in style.

During his tasting session in Taiwan, Steve Schneider personally demonstrated the latest trends in mixology. With his easy humor and approachable demeanor, he charmed all 150 bartenders who came to see him, reigniting Taiwan’s passion for craft cocktails. Observing Schneider’s smooth moves and exceptional skills, which embodied the authentic American bar culture, he also shared during the session: “Welcome everyone from all corners of the world to my bar — I’ll confidently serve you the best cocktails.”

Steve Schneider believes every cocktail has its ideal time to be enjoyed — whether day or night, the location, the season, and even the company you’re with. Moreover, his great love for engaging with people serves as inspiration for his craft. He places great emphasis on hospitality, often interacting closely with guests to craft personalized cocktails that leave a lasting impression, purely to create joyful drinking moments. Of course, one must not miss his signature ice-smashing hammer stunt — a personal trademark. He places ice inside a canvas bag and then smashes it with a hammer. For the first time in Taiwan, this iconic move was revealed to thunderous applause. He openly shared how the fun of smashing ice draws guests in, helps them feel involved, and, more importantly, brings him immense joy. He also firmly believes the power of the hammer helps him overcome future challenges, symbolizes the birth of new ideas, and joked that as a comic book fan, his Thor-inspired hammer is always by his side.

Using the official WORLD CLASS competition spirits, Steve Schneider crafted 18 unique signature cocktails, showcasing his exceptional mixology skills and taking DIAGEO Reserve Brands to a whole new sensory level. This marks his first visit to Taiwan, which has brought him fresh energy. He hopes to share invaluable insights and foster exchanges with Taiwan’s talented bartenders, while also igniting their competitive spirit. This year, the Taiwan Regional Finals will match the difficulty and standards of the global finals. The champion is expected to advance to the global finals in Brazil on July 9, competing alongside top bartenders from over 60 countries and more than 10,000 participants worldwide.
 

In addition, from March 15 to May 15, you can enjoy classic signature cocktails created by past WORLD CLASS World-Class Bartenders Competition global champions at major nightlife venues across Taiwan (such as Marquee, Indulge, The Den, and more).

Diageo
Website: www.diageo.com