Diageo names Charles Joly World's Best Bartender

By Erin Smith

Published: 05 August, 2014

Diageo's sixth annual global world's best bartender competition came to a close last week with Charles Joly from the US beating 47 other mixologists in a week long series of challenges held across London.

Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender fo the Year 2014Charles Jory named Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2014

The finalists were was not just competing for the World Class Global title, but also a job. Joly will now become a global ambassador for Diageo Reserve World Class, where he will travel the world as an educator for the premium brands within the portfolio. "Wow, I just feel totally overawed by this," he said.

"This journey didn't start today at the ceremony, this week at the finals, or even last year when I entered the heats - it started many years ago when I first started working in a local bar. The flavours, the smells, the sounds, the techniques, the history, the theatre - I realized I did not want to create just another drink. I make drinks with my heart and it makes me happy to see customers happy. The possibilities open to a bartender are limitless, not just in terms of your career but your creations - the only limit is your imagination."

The 48 finalist came from around the world to compete in the week long global final. The competition is a year-long journey of qualifying rounds, with each competitor representing their country in final week of the competition.

The grand final last week was held across Great Britain starting in Gleneagles, Scotland, then taking the Orient Express to London. Discovery was the theme for this year's competition. Competitors were tasked with creating different premium cocktails at each daily stage that told stories of places, people and local history of the site that hosted each day.

Matteo Fantacchiotti, global commercial vice president for Diageo Reserve, said: "Right from the beginning Charles' passion, creativity and unrivalled mixology skills blew the judges away. His desire to create unique serves that combined sophisticated tastes with innovative modern twists never faltered at any stage of the competition. Together we hope to inspire a new generation of mixology talent across the world, helping raise the profile of bartenders to where chefs are today."

The World Class Global Final 2015 will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.

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