Diageo Reserve Announces World Class Bartender of the Year 2010: Erik Lorincz From Connaught Bar, London

Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2010

Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Erik Lorincz (Connaught Bar, London) with the judges (left to right) Gary Regan, Dale DeGroff, Peter Dorelli, Alberto Soria, Salvatore Calabrese, Hidetsugu Ueno and 2009 winner Aristotelis Papadopoulos

Over the past year, 9000 of the world’s best bartenders competed in regional events all over the world to become the next Diageo Reserve World Class 2010 Bartender of the Year.

The top 24 finalist went head to head over the course of four days and, although each challenge had its own winner, only one person claimed the prestigious ‘Bartender of the Year’ crown. After impressing some of the most recognised names in the business (Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Peter Dorelli, Gary Regan, Alberto Soria and Hidetsugu Ueno), Erik Lorincz from Connaught Bar in London, England was deemed the World Class 2010 victor.

“This is a dream to win such a prestigious award, to be judged by some of my heroes such as Salvatore Calabrese and Dale DeGroff has really inspired me. I’m really excited about the year ahead.” — Erik Lorincz, World Class 2010 Bartender of the Year.

The Diageo Reserve World Class 2010 Final Challenge Winners

World Class ‘Gastronomy’ Challenge – Canapé Matching
Winner: Jordi Otero, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Spain
Ability to balance flavors and textures, finalists chose from six different canapés and created cocktails to complement their two chosen dishes.

World Class ‘Architecture’ Challenge – Market Challenge
Winner: Do-Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Korea
A test of skill in identifying and using fresh market produce to create interesting cocktail combinations, the bartenders had 40 minutes and EUR40 to shop and any Reserve spirits to create two contrasting cocktails.

World Class ‘Theatre’ Challenge – Ritual & Cocktail Theatre
Winner: Maxime Hoerth, Four Seasons Hotel, George V, Paris, France
Using their imagination and sense of theatre, finalists were asked to present one signature cocktail and then a signature bottle serve using either Johnnie Walker Blue Label or Zacapa 23 rum, interpreting and showcasing the qualities of the chosen spirit.

World Class ‘Art’ Challenge – Speed & Taste
Winner: Heinz Kaiser, DINO’s American Bar, Vienna, Austria
Employing their speed and skill, finalists created a round of six well-known cocktails in the fastest time possible without sacrificing taste. They were required to use the full array of mixology methods, including building, muddling and stirring.

World Class ‘History’ Challenge – Classic Cocktails
Winner: Timo Janse, Door 74, Amsterdam, Netherlands
A thorough examination of the bartenders’ knowledge of mixology and pursuit of perfection, each of the competitors were tasked to make three cocktails from a list of 15 signature, classic cocktails.

World Class ‘Philosophy’ Challenge – Cocktail Mastery
Winner: Torsten Spuhn, Modern Master Bar and Lounge, Erfut, Germany
This challenge tested knowledge of spirits and cocktails, with the bartenders quizzed on a Reserve brand and category studied in advance (eg. Tanqueray No. TEN and gin) and asked to make two cocktails with the chosen spirits.

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