One drink can change your life – especially if made with flair by a World Class finalist
“World Class is the world’s biggest and most prestigious bar competition which is on a mission to inspire people to drink better while creating unforgettable experiences. By presenting magical cocktail experiences, we aim to encourage consumers to think about fine spirits in the same way they care about fine dining,” said Diageo SA’s, Senior Brand Ambassador, Mealyn Joyce. “One drink can change your life.”
The finalists are, from Johannesburg, Lucinda Zinyemba of Lucy’s Magic, Kelvin Mabaya and Julian Short of Sin + Tax, Thabiso Mabanna of SIP Exclusive, Maynard Boozen from Ethos; and from Cape Town, Mthandazo Mweli from The Drinkery, Rhys Mc Beth from Bar by Rhys and Independent Mixologist Alana Durow. Gqeberha is represented by Liam Jukes of Tapas, while Jason Andrews from Liquid Concepts and Richie Nahlaka from Alchemy Bar hail from Durban.
World Class has supported, trained and inspired over 400,000 bartenders, across 60 countries, for over 12 years, while partnering them with the world’s finest spirits – the Diageo Reserve collection
Three of the finalists – Mabanna, Mabaya and Zinyemba are graduates of Diageo’s The Hand-Up Mentorship Programme which aims to upskill bartenders through training, while adding diversity and inclusion to those seen behind the country’s bars, with more women and more people of colour.
“Diageo knows that the best performing businesses prioritise inclusion and diversity and we believe it is crucial to create a culture with inclusion and diversity at its heart. Our commitment starts with our people and our aim is to ensure that all our people around the world thrive, by shaping market-leading policies and practices,” Joyce said.
The South African national finals take place in Johannesburg from 09 – 12 July 2023, with finalists tasked to complete five challenges, each with their own score requirements:
- From Still to Barrel Speed Round: Make eight signature serves within six minutes
- Mastery Identification: A compilation of mini-challenges to test both skills and cocktail knowledge
- From Kilmarnock to Ekasi: This Johnnie Walker Gold challenge includes a social media campaign element
- Drink Masters Brunch: With a fixed budget and 60-minute time frame, the finalists must create a welcome drink and cocktail which demonstrates culinary flair to pair with a snack.
- Por amor al Tequila: Finalists create a pop-up bar using Don Julio tequila in a cocktail with a “Mexican cantina with a South African Twist” theme. They will serve the judges and 250 consumers.
The winner will represent South Africa at the Diageo global World Class competition in São Paulo, Brazil from 23 – 30 September 2023.
Johannesburg:
| Lucinda Zinyemba of Lucy’s Magic, Independent Mixologist and Entrepreneur Resides in Waterfall, Midrand Graduate from The Hand-Up Mentorship Programme Follow her on social media: @lucyvanzee |  |
| Kelvin Mabaya, Head Bartender of Sin + Tax Resides in Bellevue works in Rosebank Graduate from The Hand-Up Mentorship Programme Follow him on social media: @mabayakelvin |  |
| Thabiso Mabanna, Mixologist, SIP Exclusive Resides in Daveyton, Benoni Graduate from The Hand-Up Mentorship Programme Follow him on social media: @tubby_thabz |  |
| Julian Short, Bar Owner of Sin + Tax, and consultant Works in Rosebank Follow him on social media: @the_flavourist |  |
| Maynard Boozen, Bar Manager at Ethos Resides in Cresta, works in Rosebank Follow him on social media: @maynardbooyzen |  |
Cape Town
| Mthandazo Mweli, Head Bartender at The Drinkery Resides in Woodstock (originally from Langa) Follow him on social media: @mthandazomweli |  |
| Rhys Mc Beth, Mixologist and Founder of Bar by Rhys Works in V&A Waterfront area Follow him on social media: @rhysmcbeth |  |
| Alana Durow, Independent Mixologist Resides in Tamboerskloof, CT (originally from Sandton, moved to WC last year) Follow her on social media: @aj.durow |  |
| Liam Jukes, Head Bartender of Tapas Resides in South End Follow him on social media: @lucidlikeliam (request to follow) |  |
Durban
| Jason Andrews, Beverage Innovator and Trainer at Liquid Concepts Resides in Ballito Follow him on social media: @jasonthechef |  |
| Richie Nahlaka, Bar Manager at Alchemy Bar Resides in Ballito Follow him on social media: @mixwithrichie |  |
ABOUT WORLD CLASS
World Class is on a mission to inspire people to drink better and create unforgettable experiences in the process. Whether at home or in a bar, World Class encourages consumers to think and care about what, where and how they drink, and in doing so, discover the best of cocktail culture.
World Class has supported, trained and inspired over 400,000 bartenders across the globe for the past thirteen years, while partnering them with the world’s finest spirits – the Diageo Reserve collection.
World Class is the authority on the global drinks industry for information on the latest drinks, trends, cocktail recipes and industry insight.
ABOUT THE DIAGEO BAR ACADEMY
The Diageo Bar Academy is an international top training, inspiration and networking hub for bar professionals to enhance their careers.
Implemented in South Africa, it provides training as well as education in bar news, cocktail trends, drinks inspiration, access to a global network of experts and insights from some of the industry’s leading influencers and world-renowned bartenders.
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding portfolio of brands consisting of Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness and many more. Diageo’s alcohol beverages are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).
For more information about Diageo, visit www.diageo.com and Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.