Introduction of Diageo World Class Malaysia 2014

Trade Nov 27, 2013
By: Kim Choong

It is the return of Diageo World Class Program after a 2-year break. The first Word Class Malaysia was launched 5 years ago by Colin Chia, the Regional Brand Ambassador for Diageo. Thanks to Ryan Tann, the new Reserve Brand Manager Malaysia, World Class Malaysia is back again. This time the Malaysia winner doesn’t have to compete with ingapore for the seat to the world competition.

Together with this introduction, Diageo brought in one of the best bartenders in the world to conduct the first Master Class for the local bartenders – Luca Cinalli from Nightjar.

World Class – described as “The Liquid Oscar” by Colin, is a program that brings the bartenders together for a total of 8 months to learn and share. The goal is to have bartenders helping one another in order to make the bartending community stick as one.

Starting from November, a Master Class will take place to prepare for the challenge the following month of one chosen theme. There are 3 Master Classes and 3 challenges, one activity each month. A guest judge will be invited for each challenge.

The National Final takes place in May. Eight bartenders will proceed to the National Finals. Two winners from every challenge together with two chosen from the highest score combined from the 6 challenges will proceed to the national finals. Any drop out during the program will be disqualified even if he/she is the winner of any of the challenges, unless there is a valid reason for non-attendance. Not being able to take off work is not considered a valid reason as bar owners are also partaking to support the program.

It is still undecided where the World Class Final will take place. It has been held first in London, Greece, India then last, Rio de Janeiro. It is possible that in 2014, it will either be in Asia or Europe. Wherever it will be, the local bartenders are promised that they will not be shortchanged for a distance trip away should he/she wins the national finals.

The Challenge in December
The guest bartender for the first Master Class in November is Luca Cinalli from Nightjar, London. Luca introduced Mediterranean Mastery in Omakase + Appreciate to prepare the participating bartenders for the December challange, of which we will see the World Class Champion from China, Cross Yu 余天音 as the guest judge.

The introduction took place at Omakase + Appreciate. 23 bartenders registered for the program and we saw Luca ghost-like action in the preparation of the three cocktails, highlighting the ingredients used to create Mediterranean style recipes.

We managed to squeeze in a few questions for Luca and he shared a few advice for bartenders who are competing for the next challenge. Read Luca's interview here.

Here are the three cocktails:

Benedetto Johnnie
JW Gold Label, Dom Benedictine, Marzipan Gold Spray Praline, Carob Honey

Luca used Carob Honey in this drink to replace chocolate as some people are allergic to the food. Carob Honey also brings a coffee scent to the drink. He used mastic gum to give the smokey smell. The Marzipan Gold Spray Praline makes the liquid appear thicker with a magical gold flow.