The country's top 15 bartenders faced off in
Nashville, TN in search of one
winner who will represent the U.S. at the World Class Global Finals
in Sydney, Australia
NEW
YORK, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After two
exhilarating days with 15 of the top U.S. bartenders competing in
four individual challenges, USBG and Diageo have announced
Jessi Pollak as the 2022 U.S.
Bartender of the Year. Hosted for the first time in Nashville, TN, the prestigious competition
brought together the best bartenders across the country to elevate
the art of cocktail creation, and Jessi awed judges with her
expansive knowledge, engaging presentation, and innovative
craftsmanship to ultimately represent the U.S. at the World Class
Global Finals held in Sydney,
Australia this fall.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9061251-usbg-diageo-announce-2022-bartender-of-the-year/
"As a first-time competitor in the USBG Presents World Class
Sponsored by Diageo, I am completely stunned to be named this
year's U.S. Bartender of the Year," says Jessi Pollak. "There were so many people who
inspired me and guided me along the way that helped make it such a
rewarding and unforgettable experience. I am truly honored to be
able to continue my journey and represent the U.S. at the Global
Finals in Sydney!"
The tenth year of the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by
Diageo competition saw thousands of applicants from across the
country for a series of rigorous regional competitions to narrow
down the Top 15 bartenders in the U.S. who advanced to the national
competition in Nashville, TN from
June 20-21. There, the competitors
demonstrated their knowledge, skill, and creativity in four
ambitious bartending challenges to determine the U.S. Bartender of
the Year.
Day one of challenges kicked off with Spirit of Don Julio where competitors developed unique
serves paying homage to the brand and its founder, followed by
Taste the City where finalists created a signature cocktail
pairing with an iconic Nashville
dish. The second day pushed the mixologists in a Home Brew
challenge where they created two cocktail styles using Ketel One
Family Made Vodka, inspired by a unique type of brew, in addition
to The Showdown where competitors raced against the clock to
create eight different cocktails in eight minutes.
"It's incredible that we're now in our tenth season of the USBG
Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo program," shares USBG
Executive Director Aaron Gregory
Smith. "The resounding excitement from the bartending
community to participate in this acclaimed competition demonstrates
that the skill and desire to grow in this industry remains strong,
and we are extremely proud to contribute to the transformative
opportunity this program provides for bartenders."
Cassandra Ericson, Manager of On
Premise Channel Marketing at Diageo North America adds, "Each and
every year of this renowned program, we have the privilege of
witnessing an unparalleled level of passion and skill that is truly
inspiring. World Class has been an incredible journey since I was a
bartender competing in the program myself in 2017, and it's
incredible to see how it has evolved into a community that elevates
the craft and puts Diageo's Reserve Portfolio at the forefront of
cocktail culture."
Wondering what it takes to be crowned the U.S. Bartender of the
Year? Applications will be open July-December for the 2023 USBG
Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo. Follow @WorldClassUS on
Instagram to learn more and see if you can shake and stir your way
to the top. In the meantime, see below for some of Jessi Pollak's recipes created during the
National Finals that helped her win.
The FFFFlip
Created by 2022 U.S. Bartender of the
Year Jessi Pollak
Ingredients:
- 1.25 oz Ketel One Family-Made Vodka
- .5 oz Amontillado Sherry
- 1 Whole Egg
- 1 oz Apple Spiced Cordial
- 2 oz Apple Cider
- Garnish: Apple Flavored Sprinkles
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker
and shake vigorously. Once emulsified, add ice to cocktail shaker
and shake thoroughly. Strain into a teacup and garnish with apple
flavored sprinkles.
Jungle Bird
Created by 2022 U.S. Bartender of the
Year Jessi Pollak
Ingredients:
- 1.25 oz Tequila Don Julio Reposado
- .5 oz Italian Bitter Aperitif
- .75 oz Pineapple Juice
- .75 oz Lime Juice
- .5 oz Bell Pepper Infused Simple Syrup
- Garnish: Pineapple Fronds
Preparation:
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker
with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain over ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with pineapple
fronds.
Cocktails created for the duration of this year's competition
can be found on Instagram using the handle @WorldClassUS. When
showcasing your own mixology or sampling award-winning recipes from
this year's competitors, USBG and Diageo remind you to do so
responsibly.
For additional information about the program and for details on
the upcoming global competition, follow hashtags #worldclassus,
#worldclass2022 and #roadtosydney on Twitter and Instagram, and
check us out online at https://worldclass.usbg.org and
https://www.usbg.org/.
About USBG
Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders'
Guild® (USBG) is a nationwide nonprofit association
of bartenders and other hospitality professionals that unites and
elevates the bar industry through education, community, and
advocacy. The USBG believes that bartending is a respected and fun
occupation in a healthy environment that builds a hub for
community. Through our network of over 40 communities nationwide,
the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer mentorship, expert
instruction, community service projects, and skills-based
competition.
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding
collection of brands including Johnnie
Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel
One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don
Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and
Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and
the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more
than 180 countries around the world.
For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and
performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global
responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for
information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information
about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
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SOURCE Diageo