Adrián Michalčík has was the 2022 Diageo World Class Global. This year’s finals featured bartenders from 50 countries and took place in Sydney, Australia.
Competition judges included Ago Perrone, Monica Berg, and Ryan Chetiyawardana who judged the participants on their cocktail skills, knowledge, and creativity. Some challenges included designing a unique cordial using surplus fresh produce to make a highball using Johnnie Walker, and stirring the ‘perfect’ Tanqueray No Ten Martini.
“Wow, I can’t believe I’ve just won the biggest bartender competition in the world! The last few years have been incredibly tough for me and for our industry,” said Michalčík upon winning. “Just to get the chance to compete here, in real life, against some truly amazing bartenders, feels like the start of a new chapter. There were moments I wasn’t sure I’d make the next round let alone win the title.”
Marissa Johnston, global head of Diageo World Class, said: “This year’s competition has truly blown me away. Our finalists have taken their craft to the next level and Adrián stood out as a giant among giants. “He is a very worthy winner and I’m really looking forward to working with him in the year ahead.”
The World Class Global Cocktail Festival was a part of a global festival at the Sydney Opera House, comprising various events, collaborations, and special guests. These included The ‘godfather of food trucks’, Roy Choi, who hosted the Don Julio Food Truck Fiesta, while bartender and entrepreneur Berg brought a new perspective on single malts with The Singleton to Sydney’s, Shell House.
For more information, check out the Diageo Bar Academy’s official website.
