The 13th edition of Diageo Reserve World Class, the biggest and most prestigious global bartending competition, today revealed the top 13 bartenders out of numerous pensive competition entries across India. These proficient bartenders will compete for the coveted championship at the national finals in Mumbai on June 6, 2022.

Each finalist was evaluated on their professional abilities, including a strong understanding of spirits, creative mixology, cocktail presentation, and liquid storytelling. Coming in from throughout the country, Diageo Reserve World Class Top 13 Finalists exhibit exceptional proficiency in the art of mixology, putting Indian hospitality on the global map.

The India winner will represent the country against the greatest bartenders from across the world at the Diageo Reserve World Class 2022 Global Finale in Sydney this September.

Talking about the competition, Evonne Eadie, World Class India Lead said, “The young bartenders of India understand the seismic shift change in the drinking culture and have re-organized the way of cocktail-making as per the evolving consumer preferences. We feel ecstatic to be part of the platform that celebrates the young talents and nurtures their skills as a quality mark towards contemporary trends. I am excited to see what Top 13 brings to the plate for the bartending community as the national finals approach.”

Diageo Reserve World Class is a one-of-a-kind platform to support local talents, as part of its commitment to luxury experiential and quality drink culture. Since its inception in 2009, the competition has inspired and mentored over 4 Lakh global bartenders, ensuring the future of cocktail innovation and new-age trends.

Over the years, World Class cocktail advocates have exhibited cutting-edge novel innovations in their cocktail recipes providing a better drinking experience for the consumers. Throughout the competition, Diageo Reserve brands such as Singleton, Tanqueray, Ketel One, and Johnnie Walker were used to make quality cocktails.

Here are the Top 13 India Finalists of Diageo Reserve World Class 2022:

1. Navjot Singh Lair, New Delhi

2. Prateek Gusain, Elgin Café, Amritsar

3. Sahil Essani, Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi

4. Sia Negi, The Leela Palace, New Delhi

5. Shobith Kumar, Mato Mato, Mumbai

6. Aashi Bhatnagar, The Ritz Carlton, Pune

7. Saurav Samantha, Opa Kipos, Mumbai

8. Kshitij Goel, W Goa, Goa

9. MD Shabaz Alam, Saz, Kolkata

10. Kumar Mongalam, Farzi Café, Kolkata

11. Prakhar Singhal, Prost, Bangalore

12. Arati Mestry, 7 Rivers, Bangalore

13. Rohil Kalita, Four Seasons, Bangalore

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and our performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.

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