Whisky Focus - France’s Jennifer Le Nechet Crowned World Class Bartender of the Year

France's Jennifer Le Nechet is crowned 2016 World Class Bartender of the Year.

After a four day battle in Miami which saw 56 of the worlds best bar tenders narrowed done to just one, the winner of the World Class Bartender of the Year 2016 has been crowned and this year see's the first ever female bartender taking the title, France's Jennifer Le Nechet.

The French bartender, usually found plying her cocktail making talents and charming customers behind the bar at Café Moderne in Paris, Jennifer wowed the judges by creating a spectacular range of vibrant drinks at her Steampunk themed pop-up bar.

This was the eighth year Diageo has run the World Class competition, and it was biggest yet, with nearly 10,000 bartenders entering. 56 of them made it to Miami. Next year will see Mexico City play host to the final.

Each challenge turned the spotlight on a different skill in the bartender’s armoury: technique, personality, spirits knowledge and how well they perform under pressure.

Selecting top brands from Diageo’s Reserve portfolio including Ketel One vodka, Cîroc, Don Julio, Tanqueray No TEN, Bulleit, Zacapa rum and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky, the bartenders crafted classic cocktails and created their own recipes. They also went up against the clock to mix eight quintessential drinks in just 10 minutes.

Jennifer commented on her win saying: "I’m completely blown away – it’s such an honour to take home the title of World’s Best Bartender – especially when competing against such talent from around the world. This week has inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of flavours and to explore how all the senses can be engaged through cocktails. I can’t wait for the experience ahead!"

Jennifer is set for an action-packed year as a Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, and can expect to travel the world judging competitions and making bespoke drinks in far-flung and glamorous locations. She will also join a roll call of the industry’s finest, becoming the eighth member of the World Class Hall of Fame.

Diageo’s World Class programme is at the leading edge of the drinks industry – aside from hosting the competition it offers support and training to bar staff, and invests in research which will underpin how the trade evolves in the future.

The World Class: Future of Cocktails’ futurology report was launched this week in Miami and predicts how the industry will evolve over the coming years.

Diageo’s Reserve portfolio accounts for more than 15% of the company’s total sales, and has grown by 7% this financial year.
 

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