Thursday, November 24, 2016

World Class 2017: First 5 Jakarta Semi Finalists Showcase The Art of Bartending

The prestigious bartending competition, World Class, kick started in Jakarta by showcasing the bartending talent of five West Regional Semi-Finalists and a special cocktail pairing session complimented by cuisine created by one of the most respected Chef’s in the city, Andrew Zarzosa of the Fairmont.

World Class 2017 marks its seventh year in Indonesia with the first ever Indonesian National Finals to be held in Jakarta in 2017. This years World Class Experience has started on a high note with the selection of six West Regional Semi-Finalists; Henry Maraben Siktimu from E&O, Albert Yacob from J Sparrow’s, Joko Adityo Pratomo from Fairmont Jakarta, Yepi Assipa from Beer Garden, Rizky Sanjaya from Artoz and Aditya Wiguna. These six are now in the running for one of the eight spots in the Indonesian National Finals which will provide competing bartenders a chance to not only showcase their talent, but also to represent their country in the Global Finals alongside some of the World’s best bartenders.

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To mark the selection of the first batch of West Regional Semi-Finalists World Class held a special showcase of the winning cocktails followed by a very special mixology and pairing session with Bartender Joko Aditya Pratomo and Chef Andrew Zarzosa of the Fairmont, in which they shared their philosophy of the art of mixology and food and how the two complement each other.

At the session, Bartender Joko’s presented his winning cocktail ‘Green Citrus Sour’; a balanced sour cocktail with complex citrus and herb flavors and a silky aftertaste. To pair with the cocktail, Chef Zarzosa created a dish of duck glazed in miso butterscotch with snap peas and shiso. Speaking about the pairing Chef Zarzosa said, “My goal was to present a dish that creates a complex and beautiful contrast with the cocktail. The lightness and freshness of the Green Citrus Sour cuts through the richness of the duck and the savory notes of the miso butterscotch glaze. Additionally, the shiso in the dish mirrors the herbaceousness of the basil found in the cocktail, bringing an extra layer of depth to both.”

“Bartending and the art of mixology is now as challenging and inspiring as the art of cooking, with cocktails handcrafted with the same thought and technique we put in our cuisine. For me, cocktails reflect the philosophy of food; use the best products available, support local and sustainable vendors, and treat the ingredients well by cooking them with respect and integrity. It is heartening to be involved in an event like World Class which recognizes the art of bartending and provides local bartenders a global platform to showcase their talent.” he further added.

Launched in 2009, World Class is an internationally-recognised competition and a mark of distinction for the bartender who is crowned World Class Bartender of the Year. In Indonesia, the 2017 competition has commenced with the completion of West and East Regional elimination rounds in which 25 contenders have been narrowed down to 6 for each region. These bartenders will now advance to the West and East Regional Semi-Finals which will be held on 28th of November 2016 in Jakarta and 29th of November 2016 in Bali for a one-on-one judging process which will evaluate their skill, technique, product knowledge, presentation and creativity.

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Speaking about the event Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, Katherine Nagar said, “Over the last seven years, World Class in Indonesia has witnessed many talented and creative bartenders develop their skills and showcase their talent with pride. As part of the competition we hold workshops, seminars and challenges which are aimed at equipping the contestants with tips and techniques to hone their craft. It is wonderful and inspiring to witness the journey of the bartenders over the course of the competition”.

‘The Diageo Reserve Brands which lead first round of this year’s World Class competition are Ketel One Vodka, Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye; these brands will be the main spirits for bartenders to use to create their signature cocktails.’ Bulleit and Ketel One have been voted as the #1 brand in the Best Selling and Most Trending Spirits awards.

World Class 2017 competition has two rounds of West and East Regional Semi-Finals in November and April, at the end of which eight finalists will ultimately move ahead to the National Finals. The competition will culminate with the selection of the winner at the National Final being held in Jakarta in May 2017. To share your experiences of this event or know more find hashtag: #worldclassID.



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