Evans Otieno and Joshua Wesonga battled it out during the country’s first ever Cocktail competition organised by Diageo World Class Kenya and Villa Rosa Kempinski.
The colourful cocktail competition offered a variety of curated experiences that celebrate the craft of bartending and provided consumers with amazing quality cocktails, while delivering a luxury consumption experience.
WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year competition brings together the best bartending talent from around to globe to decide who will be crowned the world’s best bartender.
"WORLD CLASS is on a mission to improve the cocktail culture by training up bartenders and enabling them to hone their craft. The skills they learn through the World Class training programme make them more competitive, resulting in higher incomes and provide a higher quality experience for the customer. A higher number of trained bartenders will enable the hospitality industry to diversify and create more signature drinks with each hotel looking to make its own mark on the industry.” said Diageo East Africa Senior Brand Ambassador Douglas Duncanson.
The mixologists battled it out in a quest to make the best whisky, gin and rum cocktail and at the end of it all Evans Otieno was crowned winner and got his cocktail menu featured on the Kempinski Balcony Bar.
“Shining a light on some of Nairobi’s best hospitality talent, World Class celebrates the skill, creativity and inspiration that goes into creating cocktails. The event provides a fantastic opportunity for venues to showcase what they are best at and guests to experience cocktails in a new, fun and interactive way.” said East Africa Breweries Limited Brand Manager Grace Nyokabi.
“We chose to partner with Villa Rosa Kempinski because of their shared dedication to delivering wonderful service, excellent drinks and a great experience,” she added.
According to the 2018 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the arts, entertainment and recreation sector created 5,000 jobs in 2018. The increase in the number of Kenyans with higher disposable incomes, global exposure and refined tastes has fuelled demand for premium quality cocktails and spirits.
Since its launch in 2009, Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS has been instrumental in transforming fine drinking and cocktail culture around the world.
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