The Chivas Masters Global Finalists
Chivas Regal has announced the 15 international bartenders that will compete in the Chivas Masters Global Final in Shanghai on 19th-22nd June – the first time a major bartending competition has held its finals in the city. The Asian cocktail capital will play host to this year’s finalists who each impressed in regional heats with their bartending skills and demonstration of their knowledge of Chivas.
The national heats of the Chivas Masters – now in its third year – challenged bartenders to recreate Chivas Regal’s journey across the globe. The 15 global finalists created serves inspired by the classic cocktails of New York to the booming bars of Shanghai, via their local cocktail scene, all designed to enhance Chivas Regal’s smooth and generous house style – a feat they will have to replicate in the Chivas Masters Global Final.
Finalists are preparing to jet off to Shanghai for a four-day experience that will incorporate key challenges and workshops with the industry’s best, including Naren Young, Head Bartender at Dante in New York City and Chris Lowder, Head Bartender at the Four Seasons in Seoul. Naren and Chris will be joined on the judging panel by industry legend Dre Masso, Founder of Akademi in Bali, and Leo Robitschek, Bar Director of New York’s Eleven Madison Park and the NoMad Hotel Bar, where they will judge competitors on their bartending talent and ability to lead, mentor and inspire a team.
The announcement of the global finalists always marks a build of anticipation for the Chivas Masters Global Final – a time at which excitement for the competition hits fever pitch. Our national champions have impressed us so far but now have the opportunity to represent their countries alongside one of the world’s most prestigious Scotch brands and, by doing so, ensure their future as a top-class bartender.
We can’t wait to witness the start of this incredible journey in Shanghai.
– Max Warner: Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal
Collaboration at the Global Final will be rewarded this year by granting a winning team, formed at the competition – the Chivas Masters Collective – a once in a lifetime trip to the Tales of the Cocktail 2016 in New Orleans. A further prize will be awarded to the 2016 Global Chivas Master, who will earn a bespoke trip to one of the world’s most iconic bars in a city of their choice to create a signature Chivas cocktail as their lasting contribution to the global competition.
Chivas Masters 2016 Global Finalists
China–Yao Lu from The Union Trading Company
Cuba–Renier Ernesto Rodriguez from Meliá Cohiba
Czech Republic–Tomáš Melzer from Hemingway Bar
France–Aurélie Panhelleux from CopperBay
Germany–Lukas Motejzik from Herzog
Greece–Stefanos Draganidakis from The Trap
Hong Kong–Dave Lam from Quinary
Israel–Mor Koral from 223
Japan–Naoya Mizugishi from Fujiya & Miyagi
Mexico–Alex Millan from Ponce de Leόn
Poland–Stanislaw Domin from Kawiarnia Literatka
Spain–Santi Ortiz from Ohla Barcelona
South Africa–Johan Blaauw from Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town
UK–Chelsie Bailey from The Rummer Hotel
USA–Ben Rojo from Angel’s Share
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