Last night at Shell House in Sydney, Norwegian bartender, Adrián Michalcík, mixed, stirred and shook his way to the title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year. Fifty bartenders from around the world made their way to Sydney for this final part of the global competition with the final ten taking the stage last night, including local hopeful Nick Tesar from Bar Liberty in Melbourne.
Adrián went shaker to shaker with some of the best bartenders in the world in a series of challenges designed to test their cocktail skills, knowledge and creativity.
From designing a unique cordial using surplus fresh produce to make a highball with Johnnie Walker; to stirring the ‘perfect’ Tanqueray No. TEN Martini; the finalists were encouraged to push the boundaries of their craft and champion drinking better not more.
Going ‘cocktail shaker to shaker’ with some of the best bartenders in the world, Adrián overcame the fast-paced ‘wheel of fortune’ speed round where he went on to whip up an impressive series of cocktails in only 5 minutes with randomly selected ingredients.
Upon winning, Adrián said: “Wow, I can’t believe I’ve just won the biggest bartender competition in the world! The last few years have been incredibly tough for me and for our industry. Just to get the chance to compete here, in real life, against some truly amazing bartenders, feels like the start of a new chapter. There were moments I wasn’t sure I’d make the next round let alone win the title!”
“Wow, I can’t believe I’ve just won the biggest bartender competition in the world! The last few years have been incredibly tough for me and for our industry. Just to get the chance to compete here, in real life, against some truly amazing bartenders, feels like the start of a new chapter. There were moments I wasn’t sure I’d make the next round let alone win the title!” – Adrián Michalcík, Norway, Global World Class Bartender of the Year
Marissa Johnston, Global Head of Diageo World Class said: “This year’s competition has truly blown me away. Our finalists have taken their craft to the next level and Adrián stood out as a giant among giants. He is a very worthy winner and I’m really looking forward to working with him in the year ahead.”
It wasn’t just the bartenders in attendance at this year’s festival; competition judges and cocktail legends including Ago Perrone, Monica Berg and Ryan Chetiyawardana, surprised Sydney residents with guest appearances in some of city’s top bars and restaurants as part of the World Class Cocktail Festival. There were also parties, takeovers and more. Black Pearl even celebrated their 20th Birthday with an epic party hosted at Earl’s Juke Joint. Click here to see more about the events from the World Class Cocktail Festival in Sydney this year.
In addition to announcing the winner last night, World Class also confirmed that Sao Paolo Brazil will be the host city in 2023. To stay up to date with all the latest from World Class follow @WorldClass on Instagram.
For the opportunity to sample a beverage from the world’s best bartender this afternoon, Adrián will be serving up his favourite cocktails from 5.30pm onwards at Hickson House Distilling Co today, 16th September 2022.