Twelve Czechs will compete for a place in the final of the most prestigious bartending competition in the world. The finalist will win a prize that will disappear!
The Diageo Reserve World Class competition was established in 2009 and 14 countries participated in the first edition. The first ever winner was Greek Aristotelis Papadopoulos. Five years later, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were among the countries competing in the world finals. The 8th edition of the competition is now underway in the Czech Republic, organized for the first time by STOCK Plzeň-Božkov. 12 bartenders made it to the finals and their task in the semi-finals was to mix two portions of the cocktail they entered in the competition within a time limit of 7 minutes. It had to contain one of the dark spirits from Diageo Reserve's portfolio, namely Singleton 12 y.o., Talisker 10 y.o. or Johnnie Walker Black Label, Bulleit bourbon, Bulleit Rye whiskey, Zacapa 23 rum or Don Julio Añejo tequila.
But it wasn't as easy as it might seem at first glance! A cocktail could contain a maximum of five ingredients, only two of which could be homemade. It also had to contain tea or coffee! "I am very happy that we had so many bartenders sign up this year and that we will have different personalities, bars and styles of work represented in the final," summarises World Class Ambassador Petr Kymla. "The finalists will have three competition disciplines followed by a cut to the super top 5 and the grand final, which will be hosted in the unique space of Prague Crossroads in Old Town.
In addition to advancing to the global finals in Sydney, the winner of the bartending competition will also receive a unique prize designed by designer Jan Plecháč. "I was inspired by the bartenders themselves when creating the award. Bartenders are such magicians who create something non-physical. Of course, the drink they mix is tangible, but after drinking it, you are left with a taste and a memory that you won't take anywhere," Plecháč said of his inspiration.
The winner won't receive a prize that will sit on the shelf for years afterwards, but will win a unique prize made of ice that will melt and disappear within a few hours, just like the drink consumed. "The spoon that remains after melting can become an everyday tool at work. It is therefore a combination of a moment (ice) and a memory that you can carry with you (spoon) and travel with it, even to the global finals," says Jan Plecháč.
People can enjoy drinks made from the competition ingredients in selected bars that are participating in the World Class Cocktail Festival. The home bars of the competitors as well as many others from all over the Czech Republic are involved.
Competing for this year's trip to the finals are:
Petr Bachtík, No. 3 Bar, Pardubice
Matúš Brath, Hemingway Bar, Prague
Luca Cerqueglini, L'Fleur, Prague
Vítězslav Cirok, Becher's Bar, Karlovy Vary
Roman Gaudl, Oblaca, Prague
Tomáš Karlík, Bugsy's Bar, Prague
Peter Pilný, Beyond The Bar, Prague
Jan Šebek, Becher's Bar, Karlovy Vary
Alice Tieriekhova, Back Doors Bar, Prague
Carola Urru, AnonymouS, Prague
Martin Vogeltanz, Zapa Bar, Pilsen
Radek Zabloudil, The Bar That Doesn't Exist, Brno
