The WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year is a global undertaking by Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company and owner of an impressive assemblage of brands including Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Cuervo, and many others. At the pinnacle of the brand collection are the premium DIAGEO RESERVE brands- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Blended Scotch Whisky, Ketel One vodka, Zacapa rum, Don Julio tequila, Cîroc vodka and Tanqueray No. Ten gin.

The DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year concept has been operating globally for the past four years and encompasses a program of both training and national competitions, with over 10,000 bartenders from 40 countries participating this year. The national champions from each country will compete at the Global Finals event to be held in Rio De Janerio, Brazil in July. In 2012, for the first time, Indonesia were holding their own national challenge featuring bartenders from both Jakarta and Bali.

 

The WORLD CLASS Indonesia National Finals 2012 were conducted recently at the Pullman Hotel in central Jakarta. Seven finalists from Jakarta and Bali had been selected from a series of earlier challenges held in the preceding six months. The participating finalists were- Bayu Wiseso Pandu Resi (KU DE TA, Bali), Ari Jaya Laksana (KU DE TA, Bali),  Nurul Aldina Mustakim (Union, Jakarta),  Zulkifli Moka (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta), Harli Gunawan  (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta), Erickson Marolop Batubara (Union, Jakarta), and I Gusti Salit Made Ari Naryana (W Retreat & Spa, Bali).

The format from the finals competition comprised two challenges- the “Cocktail Mastery Challenge”- where each bartender was tasked with creating an original bespoke serve for a cocktail based on one of the Reserve brands. The second challenge- the “Speed & Taste Challenge” required the finalists to complete five “standard” cocktails ( Scotch Mint Julep, Zacapa Old Fashioned, Cosmopolitan, Margarita and Tanqueray® No. TEN™ tonic) in a race against the clock- whilst maintaining the correct quality of taste for the finished cocktails.

The judging panel comprised a blend of international industry experts and local media identities-  Siobhan Hamilton, Managing Director of DIAGEO Singapore Malaysia Indonesia; Hidetsugu Ueno, DIAGEO WORLD CLASS Global Guru Judge; Edwin Lau, Celebrity Chef; Prabu Revolusi, Metro TV Anchor; Lam Chi Mun, DIAGEO Bar Academy Director, Asia Pacific; Jed Doble, Dreams Magazine Managing Director.

At the end of the two challenges, results were tabulated and the winners announced. In a close result, coming out on top was Harli Gunawan  (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta); 1st Runner Up was Ari Jaya Laksana (KU DE TA, Bali); and the 2nd Runner Up- Nurul Aldina Mustakim (Union, Jakarta). WORLD CLASS Indonesia “Bartender of the Year 2012” Harli Gunawan will now represent Indonesia at the Global Finals event to be held in Rio de Janeiro in July.

 

 Cocktail Mastery Challenge

diageo world class indonesia

The Cocktail Mastery Challenge- creating an original bespoke service featuring a Diageo Reserve brand

 

diageo world class indonesia

Answering the judges questions following the cocktail presentation

 

The Speed and Taste Challenge

The finalists had to prepare five classic cocktails in the fastest time – a Scotch Mint Julep, a Margarita, a Cosmopolitan, an Zacapa Old Fashioned, and a Tanqueray No. Ten Tonic.

diageo world class indonesia

Judges watching as the five cocktails are prepared against the clock

 

diageo world class indonesia

Judges sampling the finished cocktails to confirm taste 

 

 

diageo world class indonesia

The Finalists celebrate after the presentations

 

The Indonesian Champion & Runners Up cocktail creations

diageo world class indonesia

Indonesia Champion- Harli Gunawan  (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta)– name of cocktail “Uisge Beatha” featuring The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 YO.

The Singleton  of Glen Ord 12 YO, spice water, angostura bitters. Served in picnic basket with side serve of cocoa chocolate, dry figs, orange marmalade & toasted bread. Peat smoke added for atmosphere of Scotland.

 

 

diageo world class indonesia

1st Runner Up-  Ari Jaya Laksana ( KU DE TA Bali)– name of cocktail “Pomelo Breeze” featuring Tanqueray No. TEN

Tanqueray No.TEN, pomelo juice, blackurant jam, lemon juice, gomme. Mix and freeze with liquid nitrogen. Garnish with pomelo candy

 

diageo world class indonesia

 2nd Runner Up- Nurul Aldina Mustakim ( Union, Jakarta) – name of cocktail ” Deconstructed Pina Colada” featuring Ron Zacapa

Ron Zacapa, coconut water, gomme, xocolate moal bitter, pineapple fruit. Muddled.

 

 

 

 


diageo world class

WORLD CLASS Global Finals Facebook Page

WORLD CLASS Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia Facebook Page

DIAGEO RESERVE BRANDS-   more information here

CIROC VODKA* KETEL ONE VODKA * JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD RESERVE *

TANQUERAY No TEN GIN * THE SINGELTON * RON ZACAPA RUM * DON JULIO TEQUILA

 

Cocktail photos courtesy Iris Worldwide