Diageo Reserve World Class 2013 Bartender Of The Year crowns winner

MANILA, Philippines - Showing extensive bartending knowledge, beautifully balanced drinks, and impeccable skill behind the bar, Allan-King Roxas of Prohibition-Dillingers won the Diageo Reserve World Class 2013 Bartender of the Year Finals – Philippine leg. He bested Jerry Miranda from Prive Luxury Club, and Sofitel Manila's Syrian Ebdane and Samuel Alcantara Jr. who were declared as 1st, 2nd and 3rd runners up respectively.

Diageo Reserve World Class was launched in the Philippines last December 2012, where ten World Class bartenders were trained with some of the finest spirits from the Diageo Reserve luxury portfolio including Ketel One vodka, Cîroc ultra-premium vodka, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky and Johnnie Walker Blue Label™ Blended Scotch Whisky. After three legs of qualifying heats, four finalists were selected to compete at the local finals last June 7 at Prive Luxury Club, Fort Strip.

Judged by a panel of industry greats including actress and skilled cocktail mixologist G Tongi, world-renowned bartender Zainudin Hassan and Diageo Philippines Managing Director Arif Esenc, finalists were faced with two challenges – the brand challenge and the speed challenge. In the brand challenge, each contestant was assigned one Diageo Reserve brand and had to conceptualize a signature cocktail that would best personify that brand. The speed challenge on the other hand, required each contestant to prepare five cocktails in the least amount of time possible while still paying close attention to taste, showmanship and presentation.

As the winning bartender, Allan King Roxas will represent the Philippines and go on to compete against 50 of the world’s best bartenders in the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals, which will take place aboard boutique Azamara Club Cruise’s ship, Azamara Journey, from 4th – 9th July 2013. 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, where the 2013 World Class Global Bartender of the Year will be named. 

“Diageo Reserve World Class tests every aspect of the bartending profession. To succeed, you need creativity, precision, theatre and an innate ability to connect with the customer.  Participants are encouraged to push the boundaries and experiment with new flavors and techniques,” shares Esenc. “But it is the Filipino bartender’s passion, ability and determination to succeed that will elevate him to be a cut above the rest.”