Joan Samia of Art Caffe has beaten over 80 bartenders to be crowned as the Diageo WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year for Kenya in 2016.
Samia impressed the judges with her Speed round cocktails that consisted of 8 drinks in 10 minutes. Bartenders participating in the competition took part in challenges that tested their skills in speed, inspiration, creativity in display through contrasting cocktails and finally a food pairing challenge. The judges included Global Brand Ambassador and Luminary Georgie Bell, Kenya’s Luxury brand ambassador- Dougie Duncanson, Akash Tomar, Alex Kavita and Sherlyne Muita.
Samia will represent Kenya at the WORLD CLASS Global final in Miami, USA in September. The world event brings together mixologists from all over the world to compete for the title of Global Ambassador for Diageo WORLD CLASS. The Global Ambassador role will mean travelling all over the world, education and inspiring new talent.