In an exciting and gripping finale held at Seven Sisters on June 1, 2016, Diageo Lebanon crowned Kevin Haddad from Central Management, as Lebanon’s Best Bartender in the 2016 edition of the prestigious World Class Competition. The competition witnessed six local finalists in a series of challenges that led to Kevin’s win.
Finalists demonstrated exceptional skills and creativity in front of a selective panel of judges, composed of Monica Berg, winner of World Class Norway 2013 and Jason Clark Jason, winner of World Class New Zealand 2015.
“Every year, Lebanon’s final competition gets more impressive,” said Jason Clark Jason. “Each competitor mastered skills that was worthy of Lebanon’s World Class Bartender. Most interestingly, each finalist showed an intimate knowledge of Diageo’s Reserve collection’s unique taste profiles and flavors.”
The six finalists had to take part in a series of challenges, beginning with identifying one of Diageo’s Reserve Brands through a tasting and nosing test. Next, contestants were asked to create a cocktail related to Lebanon, and one related to another country of their choice. Following these two challenges the jury selected the 3 finalists: Kevin Haddad from Central Management, Alain Ashkar from SUD and Mike Kassabiam from Sapa.
The next challenge required skill, agility, and speed, as contestants were asked to mix 5 cocktails in 3.5 minutes. For the last round, the talented finalists had to create a signature cocktail with food pairing.
“It was a thrilling rush from the start,” said Kevin Haddad. “The challenges pushed us further and further, and my challengers pushed me to create cocktails that could truly impress the judges.”
Kevin Haddad will be on his way to represent Lebanon in the Global World Class competition, taking place in Miami, Florida later on this year. The ceremony was followed by a celebration at Seven Sisters, attended by the participants, finalists, media, bloggers, influencers, and socialites.
In an exciting and gripping finale held at Seven Sisters on June 1, 2016, Diageo Lebanon crowned Kevin Haddad from Central Management, as Lebanon’s Best Bartender in the 2016 edition of the prestigious World Class Competition. The competition witnessed six local finalists in a series of challenges that led to Kevin’s win.
Finalists demonstrated exceptional skills and creativity in front of a selective panel of judges, composed of Monica Berg, winner of World Class Norway 2013 and Jason Clark Jason, winner of World Class New Zealand 2015.
“Every year, Lebanon’s final competition gets more impressive,” said Jason Clark Jason. “Each competitor mastered skills that was worthy of Lebanon’s World Class Bartender. Most interestingly, each finalist showed an intimate knowledge of Diageo’s Reserve collection’s unique taste profiles and flavors.”
The six finalists had to take part in a series of challenges, beginning with identifying one of Diageo’s Reserve Brands through a tasting and nosing test. Next, contestants were asked to create a cocktail related to Lebanon, and one related to another country of their choice. Following these two challenges the jury selected the 3 finalists: Kevin Haddad from Central Management, Alain Ashkar from SUD and Mike Kassabiam from Sapa.
The next challenge required skill, agility, and speed, as contestants were asked to mix 5 cocktails in 3.5 minutes. For the last round, the talented finalists had to create a signature cocktail with food pairing.
“It was a thrilling rush from the start,” said Kevin Haddad. “The challenges pushed us further and further, and my challengers pushed me to create cocktails that could truly impress the judges.”
Kevin Haddad will be on his way to represent Lebanon in the Global World Class competition, taking place in Miami, Florida later on this year. The ceremony was followed by a celebration at Seven Sisters, attended by the participants, finalists, media, bloggers, influencers, and socialites.
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.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
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