As a bartender, you get what community spirit is all about. Whether it’s the community of your bar team or the neighbourhood community that helps make your bar unique, it’s about coming together to do your best and deliver something special. And it’s this spirit of community that’s at the heart of the Chivas Masters in 2018 as it celebrates generosity, teamwork and shared success.
Yes, the Chivas Masters is a competition, but it’s actually so much more than that. For the bartenders who win their national heats and represent their home countries in the global final it’s nothing short of life changing. We know, we’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with the Chivas Masters journey since it began back in 2014 and witnessed, first hand, the effect competing in the global final has on the bartenders. Don’t take our word for it though. What do some of the previous UK winners have to say?
First up Rhys Wilson, Chivas Masters UK winner 2017. “To be crowned the winner, by a group of judges I have a lot of respect for, was a huge deal, it meant feeling at a point in my career that I was ready to perform at a global level, amongst the best in the world. Representing the UK was one of the most incredible weeks in my life. Not to mention the toughest. However, what was so amazing was I never felt intensely competitive. Of course, I wanted to win, but the group of us became so close that we felt like we were in it together and just wanted each other to succeed.”
Community spirit, the Chivas Masters Global Finalists, 2016As for Chelsie Bailey, 2016 UK champion. “Winning the Chivas Masters UK was such a shock for me, there were some incredibly talented bartenders that I was up against, but once that settled, it was the most amazing feeling ever! The Global Final changed my life and has massively influenced my career. Through the competition I’ve made some fantastic friends and had the opportunity to meet some of the industry’s leading figures.”
And Josh Reynolds claimed not only the UK title in 2015, but also went on to international glory. “Winning the Chivas Masters UK meant everything to me and to then represent the UK on the international stage was truly amazing. I met some incredible people and to take the global crown was a career defining moment, something I’ll never forget. I’ve been on many fantastic adventures with Chivas Regal and working with them over the years has impacted my career massively. I have a lot to thank them for.”
Consider, too, the prize this year. Whoever claims the Chivas Masters UK title will be amongst fellow international bartenders representing 22 countries at the Global Final. And this year the final will take place in not just one but two iconic centres. Starting in London the finalists will get the chance to work with the world’s best bartenders, attend workshops with award-winning judges and develop skills that extend far beyond bartending. Then it’s time to move on to the Strathisla Distillery in Scotland, the home of Chivas Regal, to learn about and experience some of the very finest whiskies in the world.
Judging by previous years we know it’s going to be an exhilarating, challenging and tough few days, but then there’s a lot at stake.
The global winner will claim the coveted title of Chivas Masters Global Champion 2018 and with it the chance to travel the world inspiring the bartenders of the future (as part of his prize Josh Reynolds, Global Winner 2015, hit Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore to name a few). And as if that wasn’t enough the Global Winner will also be heading to Tales of The Cocktail 2018 in New Orleans. Need any more motivation? We thought not.
The first step is to create a unique drink, centred on the theme of community. Of course, you’ll need to demonstrate excellent bartending skills and techniques, but more importantly you’ll need to embody the very essence of the Chivas Regal values of collaboration and generosity.
Think you’ve got what it takes to join Ali Reynolds, Josh Reynolds, Chelsie Bailey and Rhys Wilson amongst the elite community of previous Chivas Masters UK winners?
For full details visit chivas.com/chivasmasters/thechallenge
UK applications are open until 31st March 2018. Entrants must be available to attend the UK Final 3 May 2018 and the Global Final 24-29 June 2018.
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