On-trade

Merchant’s Andrew wins Irish World Class

Following rounds of competition and creativity, Andrew Dickey from The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, was crowned ‘World Class Irish Bartender of the Year 2016’ at The King’s Inn in Dublin’s city centre.

Andrew goes on to represent Ireland in Diageo’s World Class Global Final 2016 which takes place in Miami this coming September.

Some of the most revered names in the industry came to Dublin to judge the competition. Influential Chef and Co-host of MasterChef UK John Torode joined the judging panel alongside industry experts European World Class Ambassador Max La Rocca, World Class Ireland Winner 2015 MVP’s Anna Walsh and Ewan Gunn, The global BA for Haig Club.

This year, six finalists were put through their paces with complex challenges designed to test them on all aspects of bartending including brand knowledge, precision, sensory, hosting and creativity.

Competing alongside Andrew was Meath native Adam Walsh from Zozimus in Dublin, Croatian-born Ivana Sabljak of House in Dublin, Darren Geraghty representing The Candlelight Bar in Dundrum in Dublin, Bar Manager of The Meeting House in Dublin Stephanie Shen and Alan Petrovic from Croatia who works as a bartender in Dublin’s KOH Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge.

Competitors are encouraged to innovate and experiment using the Diageo Reserve portfolio of spirits including: Ketel One vodka, Cîroc vodka, Ron Zacapa rum, Tanqueray gin, Tanqueray No Ten gin, Bulleit Bourbon, Don Julio Tequila, Johnnie Walker Gold Label and Blue Label whisky and scotch whisky’s Cardhu, Singleton and Talisker. 

 

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