Mumbai Finds it’s “World Class” Bartender

~ Kevin Dias of Hakkasan wins the Diageo Reserve World Class India Mumbai Semi Finals 2017 ~

Mumbai, May 12th 2017: Now in its 9th edition, Diageo Reserve World Class continues to transform fine drinking experiences and cocktail culture around the world. It is a unique platform, which aims to nurture the potential talent of local bartenders and enable them with the right knowledge.

The semi-finals, held at Razzberry Rhinoceros, Juhu brought together 7 top mixologists from Mumbai’s leading hotels and bars such as Hakkasan, Aer Bar & Lounge and KOKO to compete for a spot among the top bartenders in India.

Kevin Dias’ specially crafted drinks, The Walk made with Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 and The Whale made with Ketel One Vodka, which included many home-made syrups and ingredients, led him to win the city semi-finals. Sharing his big win, Kevin added, “I am honored to win the Mumbai semi-finals, and it’s a really great feeling. I would like to thank Diageo World Class for providing me with such an amazing platform so that bartenders can enhance their craft and knowledge to showcase their skills. I’m very excited for the national finals, and will try my level best to get the cup back to Mumbai.”

Commenting on the event, Nitesh Chhapru – ‎Head of Marketing: Premium & Luxury Brands Portfolio - ‎Diageo India said, “The Diageo Reserve World Class competition is a unique platform, which mentors talented bartenders and equips them with the right knowledge, craft and skill to make world class drinks. This is our way of giving back to the industry and helping these mixologists become industry experts and get the opportunity to work with some of the best names in the field. The competition celebrates the best bartenders from across the country, and we saw some excellent talent from Mumbai come together at the semi-finals to showcase their skills to a captive audience.”

Other city-winners of the competition include Gaurav Dhyani from Molecule Air Bar (Gurgaon), Vikram Sharma Ku from Blue Bar Taj Palace (New Delhi) and Mahendra Chouhan from ITC Rajputana (Jaipur).

The top 12 contestants from across India will come together for the Diageo Reserve World Class Competition India Finals in Mumbai, June 2017. The Diageo Reserve World Class Competition India winner will gain a coveted place in the world’s most prestigious cocktail event, Diageo Reserve World Class Competition 2017, to be held in Mexico later this year.

The India leg of the championship, which began in Bangalore, will close with the final in Mumbai. This year, almost 300 contestants participated in the competition, where they were judged on their techniques, speed, creativity and communication skills

About Diageo Reserve World Class

Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS is transforming fine drinking experiences and cocktail culture around the world and in the home. The industry’s largest, most credible investment in the luxury on trade, it discovers the next generation of bartending talent who set the latest mixology trends and bring these to the best bars worldwide. At the core is an outstanding, global training program and internationally recognized platform that elevates the craft of the bartender and builds careers in the industry culminating in an annual luxury landmark week where the Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year is announced. Launched in 2009, over 15,000 bartenders have been inspired and educated in the craft of mixology using the finest spirits in the Diageo Reserve collection. A partnership and collaboration with gurus, media, partners and owners, Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS is widely recognized as a mark of sophistication and distinction of international fine drinking culture by bartenders and customers alike.

The Diageo Bar Academy Program reinforces the company's commitment to the bartending community. Since launching the program in 2006, more than 5,500 training sessions have been hosted with over 55,000 bartenders trained. The acclaimed program takes an innovative and fresh approach to training, offering interactive and informative sessions led by the industry’s best.

Diageo Reserve World Class – India Competition

A unique platform, which aims to nurture the potential talent of local bartenders and enable them with the right knowledge. In the past Diageo Reserve World Class India, has successfully helped local talent emerge as influencers and creators of fine drinking experiences the world over. The industry’s biggest and most prestigious bartending competition –now in its 9th edition offers a gamut of luxury spirits from the Diageo Reserve portfolio namely Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18, Talisker, Tanqueray 10, CÎROC, Ketel One, Don Julio and the Singleton of Glen Ord 12YO.

Over the last 6 months, our International Brand Ambassadors have trained & mentored almost 300 bartenders across the top luxury accounts in India, on our Reserve Portfolio as well as modules on global cocktail trends such as Sustainability in Bartending, the history of Bartending techniques and the art of storytelling with cocktails. The contenders have competed in multiple regional levels before descending in Mumbai for the national finals. Each bartender went through a rigorous training procedure to survive till the end of the competition and only the top 13 made it to the Finale.

The winner will head to Mexico to represent India at the Global finals.

‘Drink Responsibly’