SINGAPORE, January 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
WORLD CLASS sets
sail to the Mediterranean to inspire the world of fine drinking
Today, WORLD CLASS, the world's largest and most credible
mixology competition, announced the 2013 Global Final will take
place aboard boutique Azamara Club Cruise's ship, Azamara
Journey, from 4th - 9th July 2013. Each adding their own unique splash of
creativity, dash of showmanship and twist of technique, only the 50
best bartenders will be selected to compete at the Global Final for
the coveted title of Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS Bartender of the
Year.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130128/589479-a )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130128/589479-b )
Setting sail along the French Riviera in Nice and Monte Carlo, the voyage will include stopovers
in some of the Mediterranean's most iconic and chic destinations
including St. Tropez and Ibiza, before culminating in the Catalan
capital of Barcelona.
The world's most respected mixology cognoscenti as judges,
boasting the likes of legends Dale
DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese,
Peter Dorelli, Hidetsugo Ueno and
Gary Regan, media glitterati,
renowned bar owners and international stars of stage and screen,
will join the Global Final. Together over 600 attendees will
celebrate the craft of bartending with exclusive insight into
testing cocktail challenges, high-profile evening events and
inspiring industry talks and debates.
Rudy Paoli, Managing Director
Diageo Reserve, said, "The WORLD CLASS Global Final is a
landmark event in the luxury industry which has become an
internationally recognized platform and mark of distinction for
mixology. WORLD CLASS elevates the craft of the bartender,
discovers new talent and previews the latest trends and must-have
fine drinking experiences to the world. Given the strong growth of
the Diageo Reserve business within Europe, the Mediterranean was a clear choice
for the 2013 Global Final."
"Embarking on its maiden voyage, WORLD CLASS recognises the
increasing popularity of luxury cruises, which are becoming some of
the most sought-after tickets in premium travel," continued
Roland Abella, Managing Director
Global Travel & Middle
East, Diageo. "The partnership with Azamara
Club Cruises will offer a unique experience for the voyagers. The
Global Final will take inspiration from the most exclusive ports in
Europe and bring to them the most
stylish, distinctive fine drinking experiences on board the
ship."
Larry Pimentel, President and
CEO, Azamara Club Cruises, said, "Our team at Azamara Club
Cruises is dedicated to creating compelling and exceptional
destination-immersive experiences for our discerning, up-market
travellers. We are delighted to be partnering with WORLD
CLASS, bringing fine drinking experiences on board for our
guests."
Launched in 2009, WORLD CLASS has grown from humble beginnings
into a fully fledged property, training 15,000 bartenders around
the world each year. In 2012, the WORLD CLASS TV Show was broadcast
in more than 110 countries, putting a spotlight on the WORLD CLASS
bartenders. The WORLD CLASS social forum on Facebook is a
collective of the world's best bartenders where they connect, share
and collaborate to discover new trends.
Throughout the annual programme, WORLD CLASS bartenders are
trained using the collection of fine spirits from the Diageo
Reserve luxury portfolio - KETEL ONE® vodka, CÎROC® vodka,
TANQUERAY® No.TEN™ gin, DON JULIO® tequila, ZACAPA® rum and JOHNNIE
WALKER® GOLD LABEL RESERVE™ Blended Scotch Whisky, JOHNNIE WALKER®
PLATINUM LABEL™ Blended Scotch Whisky and JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE
LABEL™ Blended Scotch Whisky.
Follow the competition on Facebook at the 'Global WORLD CLASS
Finals' page
http://www.facebook.com/GlobalWorldClassFinals.
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and
performance, visit http://www.diageo.com or contact:
Joanna Good
Neville McCarthy Associates
+44(0)207-940-2900
joanna@nevillemccarthy.com
SOURCE Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS