East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has officially launched the 9th edition of the World Class Kenya 2024 Bartending Competition, presented by Diageo. The competition runs worldwide, with more than 60 nations represented.
According to EABL, this year’s competition promises an excellent display of mixology, giving mixologists a chance to shine on the global stage.
The competition journey began on April 9th with an online training session focusing on the first-round challenge dubbed ‘JW Beyond a Night Cap’. The challenge saw over 270 entrants challenging for the top 40 slots. This challenge aimed to spotlight the depth of flavor and versatility of Johnnie Walker Black Label while testing the bartenders’ understanding of classic cocktail structure.
May 9th marked the second Community Day at the KBL Microbrewery, where the top 40 participants engaged in the second-round challenge. This challenge celebrates the spirit of togetherness and flavor exploration. The top 20 submissions for the second challenge will be selected, earning a coveted spot in the semi-finals slated for June 4th, 2024. Thereafter, the top six finalists will be selected for a showdown to determine the best of the best.
But before they dive right into the final, interactive studio sessions and bootcamps will be held to refine their craft and techniques in preparation for the challenges at the tail end of June 2024.
The grand finale on June 20th of the #WorldclassKE 2024 will crown the competition at the KBL Microbrewery, where the top six contestants will vie for the title of Kenya’s top bartender.
Speaking at the launch, Suwilanji Ngambi, the National Advocacy Manager at EABL noted, “Last year, we saw the very best the country has to offer, with bartenders from various backgrounds pouring their personalities and inspiration into every glass. We have 40 talented individuals ready to stake their claim to being the Top Bartender not just here in Kenya but in the World and with support from EABL, through our bootcamps and studio sessions, we believe they can all surpass their current level and realize their dreams. Today, they step further into the competition, a challenge tailored for the best of best at the #worldclasske2024.”
Past winners have included Francis Ndung’u, Patrick Mutua, Kelvin Thairu, Angeliqua Rivera, and Joan Samia.
This year’s winners will compete against other mixologists from around the world for the coveted title of World Class Bartender of the Year 2024 at the World Class Global competition in Shanghai, China between September 9th to September 13th, 2024.