Courtesy of Diageo
Known as the "Oscar" of the international bartending world, the "WORLD CLASS World Class Bartender of the Year Competition" will see up to 60 bartenders from across Taiwan converge at the Taiwan Regional Finals on April 16 and April 17, 2012, going all out to compete for the prestigious title of Taiwan’s No. 1 bartender. Diageo Group has specially invited New York-based bartender Steve Schneider, ranked among the top ten mixologists in the city, to perform in Taiwan. He will share the boundless creativity of the art of bartending and demonstrate his legendary ice-smashing hammer stunt, dazzling the crowd with his jaw-dropping skills and kicking off the excitement for the 2012 Taiwan competition.
New York bartender Steve Schneider performs in Taiwan, showcasing his iconic ice-smashing hammer stunt. (Photo courtesy of Diageo)
During his tasting event in Taiwan, Steve Schneider personally demonstrated the latest trends in mixology. With his easy humor and approachable personality, he charmed all 150 bartenders who came to see him, reigniting Taiwan’s refined bartending scene. Observing Schneider’s smooth moves and exceptional skills, which showcase the authentic American bar culture, he also said loudly during the tasting event: “People from all corners of the world are welcome in my bar, and I will confidently serve them the finest cocktails.”
Steve Schneider believes that every cocktail has its own ideal time to be enjoyed—whether it's day or night—as well as a specific location, season, and company. Furthermore, his deep love for interacting with people serves as inspiration for his craft. He places great emphasis on hospitality and often engages in ongoing conversations with guests to craft personalized cocktails that leave a lasting impression—all simply to create joyful drinking moments for them. Of course, performing his now-signature ice-smashing hammer stunt is always a must at his events. He places ice in a canvas bag and then dramatically smashes it, debuting this iconic move publicly in Taiwan for the first time, instantly causing an enthusiastic reaction. He openly admits that the fun of this crazy ice-smashing act boosts guest engagement and immersion—and more importantly, he thoroughly enjoys it himself. He also firmly believes the power of the hammer will help him overcome future challenges, symbolizing a burst of creative inspiration. As a comic book fan, he adds that his Mjölnir-inspired hammer is something he never leaves home without.
New York bartender Steve Schneider’s tasting event in Taiwan attracted around 150 bartenders from across the country. (Photo courtesy of Diageo)
Using the official competition spirits designated by WORLD CLASS, Steve Schneider crafted 18 unique signature cocktails, showcasing his extraordinary bartending creativity and introducing DIAGEO Reserve Brands to entirely new sensory experiences. This being his first visit to Taiwan, he found it refreshing and hopes to share invaluable insights and exchange ideas with Taiwan’s talented bartenders, inspiring them to take on the challenge of the competition with great enthusiasm. This year, the Taiwan Regional Finals will match the difficulty and format of the global finals, with the champion expected to advance to the global finals in Brazil on July 9. There, they’ll compete against top bartenders from over 60 countries, who have been selected from more than 10,000 participants worldwide.
In addition, from March 15 to May 15, select nightlife venues across Taiwan (such as Marquee, Indulge, The Den, etc.) will offer classic signature cocktails created by past WORLD CLASS World Class Bartender of the Year global champions.
Diageo
Website: www.diageo.com