MIAMI, July 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- FromNorwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, the world’s best cruise bartenders are competing for rankings at the“DIAGEO Reserve World Class Global Travel Finals”
The race is on to find the world’s best cruise bartender. This year, 5,500 cruise bartenders from three of the world’s leading cruise lines have been gearing up through the DIAGEO Global Travel WORLD CLASS programme, all hoping to secure a spot in the DIAGEO Reserve World Class Global Travel Final.
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Only one will emerge victorious at the star-studded DIAGEO Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final later this year in Cape Town, going on to represent Global Travel against the best bartenders from around the globe. Last year’s winner, Charles Joly, has experienced a life-changing journey full of exciting new opportunities, such as bartending at the wedding of Jenson Button (Jenson Button) and at the Grammy Awards.
The top three finalists were chosen from all 5,500 bartenders who participated in a series of intense competitions. They will go head-to-head on July 9, 2015, at the glamorous Diageo 396 Bar in Miami, Florida, for the DIAGEO Reserve World Class Global Travel Final. They are:
- Wade Cleophas, 29 years old, South Africa: Norwegian Cruise Line
- Santos Mercedes Enriquez, 39 years old, Peru: Celebrity Cruises
- Shekhar Grover, 28 years old, India: Royal Caribbean International
The expert judges tasked with selecting the Global Travel winner include: Tequila Don Julio Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa, World Class Global Brand Ambassador Spike Marchant, 2010 World Class Bartender of the Year Erik Lorincz, and Julio Cabrera, Managing Partner of The Regent Cocktail Club in Miami.
World Class trainer Sarah Lawrence said: “What really excites us is seeing how much the participants have progressed through the programme and the competitions. They’ve reimagined classic cocktails, discovered interesting twists, and delivered great interpretations, using premium spirits from the luxurious DIAGEO Reserve portfolio to create exciting drinks for cruise passengers — the atmosphere has been electric. We’ve now selected our top three. Each has proven themselves as the best in the business of cruise bartending, and I can’t wait to see who will be crowned the DIAGEO Global Travel champion.”
DIAGEO Global Travel Western Regional Marketing DirectorLouise Higginssaid: “DIAGEO Reserve World Class is at the forefront of top-tier bartending skills and has made remarkable progress in creating luxury drinking experiences. This global training programme is recognized as a hallmark of international premium drinking culture. We’re delighted to partner with three leading cruise lines for the 2015 Global Travel programme. Together, we aim to continue driving the evolution of modern mixology and cocktail culture. This year’s competition is incredibly fierce, and we wish all our finalists the very best.”
Renowned bartending expert Sarah Lawrence is among the trainers leading our finalists through the intense World Class bartending programme, designed to inspire and educate cruise bartenders in the mysterious art of mixology. The trainees received instruction in exceptional service, innovative ingredients, techniques, and the latest trends in cocktail making, while preparing for the challenges ahead. This training ultimately enables them to deliver outstanding bar experiences live on board major cruise ships.
Editor’s Note
For more details about the competition, visit the “World Class Global Finals” Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WorldClass
DIAGEO Bartending Academy Trainers:
- The five trainers are: Sarah Lawrence, Julio Cabrera, Michael Parish, Carla Rivera, and David Molina.
Cruise Finalists::
- Norwegian Cruise Line Representative::Wade Cleophas, 29, from South Africa, is the Head Bartender aboard Norwegian Epic. Wade dreams of becoming a global bartending trainer to share the knowledge he’s gained from his peers with others. He will present 'Lifes Peachy,' a cocktail made with TANQUERAY® No. TEN Gin, as his signature drink.
- Representative of Royal Caribbean International:Santos Mercedes Enriquez, 39, from Peru, is a Senior Bartender on Royal Caribbean’s Equinox. He was inspired to become a bartender by his mother, who was also a bartender, and the renowned head bartender Gary Regan. His signature drink is 'Violetta Falernum,' made with TANQUERAY® No. TEN™ Gin.
- Representative of Celebrity Cruises:Shekhar Grover, 28, from India, is a bartender aboard the Anthem of the Seas. This is not his first competition — he won the finals of the World Class Bartenders’ Cup last year and competed in the WORLD CLASS™ Grand Final in London. In this year's competition, he aims to create his most stunning signature drink yet using all the experience gained from last year’s events — his entry, also made with TANQUERAY® No. TEN™ Gin, is called 'Con Amor.'
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