MIAMI, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Diageo Global Travel and Middle
East(GTME) today announced a new 2013 partnership with
Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to deliver an on-board
cocktail training program, as part of one of world's most
prestigious mixology competitions - DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-a )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-b )
Over 400 cruise line bartenders will be trained in progressive
cocktail trends and pitted against each other, in a series of
heats. A cruise line finalist will then go forward to take part in
the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year final,
competing alongside bar tenders from the four corners of the
globe.
Bartenders will be trained in cutting edge cocktail-making
trends such as 'Retro Chic,' 'Tropical Journey,' and 'Hollywood
Bollywood Hong Kong,' balancing a spirit of old school glamour with
concoctions such as the 'Casino Royale.' They will also be coached
to develop creativity and showmanship in DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD
CLASS, the drinks industry's largest and most credible investment
in luxury drinking experiences.
Launched in 2009, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS operates in 50
countries and has inspired and educated over 15,000 bartenders from
all over the world, using the finest spirits from the Diageo
Reserve collection. This year's global final will also be held
aboard a boutique cruise liner in the Mediterranean
Sea[1] - highlighting the
increasing importance of the cruise channel in cocktail
culture.
Following a successful pioneering partnership with Princess
Cruises last year, Norwegian Cruise Lines is welcomed to the
program for 2013, placing both at the forefront of mixology
trends.
Philip Duff, expert mixologist at
Liquid Solutions is leading the training: "We are thrilled to be
working with Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, Princess Cruises and Norwegian
Cruise Line to immerse their bartenders in cutting edge cocktail
trends. By equipping the ships' bartenders with these progressive
skills we are all helping to bring a unique fine drinking
environment to cruise passengers the world over."
Louise Higgins, Marketing
Director, GTME Americas, said: "We are delighted to be investing in
and expanding the program this year to welcome Norwegian Cruise
Line on-board. Last year Princess Cruises was our first partner in
WORLD CLASS. Both are renowned for their best-in-class bartenders.
By participating in what is one of the world's most credible
cocktail competitions, these bartenders will take their cocktail
making skills to new levels and hone their excellent customer
service skills - all to the benefit of guests who will enjoy their
innovative creations in the luxury setting of the cruise
liners."
Peter Tobler, Vice President,
Food and Beverage Operations, Princess
Cruises said: "Based on the huge success of WORLD CLASS last
year, we are delighted to be back for a second year. One of our
bartenders reached the global final last year in Rio de Janeiro and we are hoping to recreate
this success in 2013. We believe this partnership with Diageo GTME
will further excite our cruise passengers and make their fine
drinking experience on-board our ships even more memorable. WORLD
CLASS is not only about showcasing the world's best bartenders,
it's about inspiring them to be pioneers in the innovative and
ever-changing cocktail arena. We are delighted that we will be able
to treat our passengers to a winning combination of the world's
finest luxury spirits and the latest trends in mixology."
Wesley Cort, Director of
Restaurant & Beverage Development and Operations for Norwegian
Cruise Line, said: "Introducing our bartending talent to DIAGEO
RESERVE WORLD CLASS will take the quality of our guest service to
new levels of excellence. Our guests are seeking luxury experiences
and the finest spirits while on vacation. This program will help
our bar team to enhance those experiences with expanded knowledge
of premium spirits, fresh ideas for cocktails and an ability to
entertain our guests."
1 On Azamara Club Cruise's ship, Azamara Journey,
4th-9th July
2013 in Europe
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an
outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits,
wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan's,
Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One
vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose
Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit
http://www.diageo.com. For Diageo's global resource that promotes
responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools,
information and initiatives, visit http://www.DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
The KETEL ONE, CÎROC, TANQUERAY No.TEN, DON JULIO BLANCO, REPOSADO, ZACAPA, JOHNNIE
WALKER GOLD LABEL RESERVE, PLATINUM LABEL and BLUE LABEL words and
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