Everyone loves a Top 10 list of anything, right? But for those who make such a list, it’s completely game-changing. As the top 10 bartenders in this year’s World Class GB 2023 will no doubt confirm.
Please be upstanding for the Top 10 Finalists for World Class GB 2023:
Josh Linfitt – Ugly Butterfly, Cornwall
Alexander Taylor – Penny Royal, Cardiff
Emanuele Mensah – Lyaness
Danilo Frigulti – NoMad, London
Jacob Clarke – Couch, Stirchley
Katie Rouse – Couch, Stirchely
Hollie Bennetts – The Greenbank Hotel, Cornwall
Tom Fastiggi – Schofield’s Bar, Manchester
Ryan Way – Orchid, Aberdeen
Matt Arnold – Passing Fancies, Birmingham
And let’s not forget the semi-final challenge winners who impressed the judges with their creative flair and outstanding serves to become Challenge Champions: Jack Smith who was awarded Challenge Champion in the Don Julio Challenge, and Eve Green for blowing the judges away during the Chase challenge.
Huge congratulations also go out to Liam Scott who won the ‘Bartenders’ Bartender’ prize (and a fabulous bottle of Don Julio 1942). This particular accolade was decided and voted on by the Top 50 bartenders and is awarded to the person who has embodied the community spirit of World Class and gone out of their way to assist fellow competitors, as well as be supportive and positive throughout.
Jack and Eve join Katie Rouse, Axel Joyeau and Oskar Wozniak in a new element of this year’s program, which will provide mentorship opportunities throughout the year.
This impressive line-up were among the 50 from all around the UK who pulled out all the stops to convince the judges Pippa Guy, Cara Watson and Jo Last, World Class GB Brand Ambassadors; Deano Moncrieffe, Equal Measures; Barrie Wilson, Scotch Creatives, and Erik Lorincz, World Class Global Winner 2010, why they should go forward to represent Great Britain in the World Class Global Finals taking place in São Paolo, Brazil later this year.
10 becomes 1
Before that though, there’s one more, all-important part to complete. The next nail-biting stage of the competition is the World Class GB Final, taking place 26-27th June. This is where the Top 10 finalists will showcase their creativity, presentation and personable skills by participating in The Singleton and Johnnie Walker challenges. They’ll have an excellent platform from which to do it – Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh. The jaw-dropping building is 71,500 sq ft of pure genius, taking in a host of immersive experiences, innovation, bars and restaurants and for two days only: World Class GB. The winner will be announced on the evening of 27th June.
We can’t wait.
