Whisky the key ingredient in Diageo bartending competition for 2022

The Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition for 2022 is now open and bartenders from right around Australia are invited to throw their hats into the ring to compete in a series of challenges to experiment with flavour, balance and creativity across Diageo's whisky portfolio.

With the Australian Whisky industry expected to grow annually by 4.06 per cent (CAGR 2022-2025), cocktails will be crafted using Diageo’s award-winning portfolio of reserve brands and hero whiskies, with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Johnnie Walker Black Label, The Singleton and Talisker taking centre stage. 

Each candidate will have the opportunity to test their skills, showcase their craft, push the boundaries in a series of unique challenges, and compete to capture the imaginations and votes of industry-leading judges. 

The Australian winner will go on to compete against the world’s best bartenders in the Global Finals - held for the first time ever on Australian soil this September. The highly anticipated event, held in host city Sydney, will be the first large-scale/face to face finals, following on from the postponement of the competition in 2020 and last year’s virtual finals, held in Madrid.  

Round one

Competitors to create a Johnnie Walker signature serve, the Highball, but with a sustainable twist - a process, ingredient or technique that promotes minimum waste.

Evan Stroeve of Re:, Sydney’s no-waste bar recently named in The World's 50 Best Bars, took home the coveted title of Australian World Class Bartender of the Year for 2021 after impressing the judges in each challenge with his skill, creativity and commitment to sustainability and innovation.

“Winning the title last year was such a momentous moment in my career in hospitality. When I started my journey in bartending, I never thought it would lead me to where it has, and I feel honoured to be part of such a close-knit Australian community that continues to bat well above its weight on the global stage," said Mr Stroeve.

“The World Class bartending competition is an inspiring and energising journey, and I continue to take the lessons learned and friendships forged with me in my career. I encourage any bartender who is thinking about it to have a go and test yourself - what you can prove to yourself is extraordinary." 

The World Class Studios where bartenders will get all the information surrounding the challenges is now open. Registrations for the opening round challenge are open until midnight on Sunday, 17 April.
For more information and to register for World Class 2022, please visit Diageo Bar Academy.