The winner of the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year competition has been revealed.
France’s Jennifer Le Nechet emerged victorious after a four-day final in Miami which featured more than 50 top baristas from around the globe.
Le Nechet, from Paris’ Café Moderne, won over the judges by creating a range of vibrant drinks at her Steampunk themed pop-up bar.
Diageo’s World Class competition has now been running for eight years, and received entries from nearly 10,000 bartenders in 2016. The final in Miami featured challenges focusing on bartender skills such as technique, personality, spirits knowledge and how well they perform under pressure.
Using brands from Diageo’s Reserve portfolio such as Ketel One vodka, Cîroc, Don Julio, Tanqueray No TEN, Bulleit, Zacapa rum and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky, the bartenders crafted classic cocktails and created their own recipes. They also went up against the clock to mix eight quintessential drinks in 10 minutes.
Le Nechet became the first female bartender to claim the title and will now take on a role as a Diageo Reserve brand ambassador. She said: “I’m completely blown away – it’s such an honour to take home the title of World’s Best Bartender – especially when competing against such talent from around the world. This week has inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of flavours and to explore how all the senses can be engaged through cocktails. I can’t wait for the experience ahead.”
Diageo Reserve World Class Director Johanna Dalley said the number of participating countries had risen from 18 to 56 since the programme’s inception in 2009. “We are proud to bring you this year’s crop of the world’s most skilled bartenders, and to learn about the newest and greatest drinks experiences on offer,” she said.
“Jennifer is the deserved winner, and we are delighted to have a female winner for the first time, but the five runners up were all worthy contenders.”
Mexico City will host the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final in 2017.
As well as hosting the competition, Diageo’s World Class programme offers support and training to bar staff, and invests in research which the company says will underpin how the trade evolves in the future.
