World Class

World Class TOTCF Presents World Class Sponsored by DIAGEO is on a mission to deliver best-in-class training and education while seeking the nation's best bartenders.

Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to follow. Please do not share with those under 21. More than a cocktail competition, USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by DIAGEO is rooted in providing trend-leading education and mentorship to bartenders of all skill-levels, while providing opportunities to celebrate their craft, creativity, and passion. The World Class competition is backed by the vast re

sources available on Diageo Bar Academy, which prepares competitors and trade members with the tools and knowledge to develop their skills both personally and professionally. Applications for the 2023 World Class US competition will be open from July 18th through November 15th, 2022. Stay tuned for more information on the application, mentorship opportunities, and more! One Drink Can Change Your Life. Must be 21+ to Participate. please do not share the content on this page to anyone under the legal purchase age of your country. Please Drink Responsibly. Community guidelines: https://bit.ly/DiageoGuideline

World Class celebrates the many talents that define a great bartender. Craft, creativity, storytelling, and supporting y...
05/21/2026

World Class celebrates the many talents that define a great bartender. Craft, creativity, storytelling, and supporting your peers all play a part. These competitors rose to the occasion across this year’s challenges, each leaving their mark on the competition.

Join us in raising a glass to the Challenge Award winners:
Bartender’s Bartender - Mackenzie Helem
Heritage Challenge Champion Award (Ketel One): Bridget Ramsey
Round Builder Award (Speed Round): Kai Lucas .lucas14
Coffee Cocktail Visionary Award (Mr Black): Elliott Reibert

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

05/14/2026

Every year, World Class raises the bar and Chicago proved that once again.

The 2026 World Class competition brought together the nation’s most creative talent showcasing innovation, hospitality, and the passion shaping the industry.

A huge thank you to our judges, mentors, hosts, support teams, and partners at Tales of the Cocktail Foundation for helping make this year’s experience so memorable. And once again congratulations to the 2026 World Class US Bartender of the Year, Alexis Ortega.

Here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from the final day in Chicago and a glimpse of the energy we’re bringing to Globals!

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

05/13/2026

Yesterday, the World Class US National Championship continued in Chicago. Another round of challenges brought the competitors back to the stage as the field narrowed and the journey toward World Class US 2026 Bartender of the Year moved closer to its final chapter. Take a look back at some of the moments from Day Two.

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

05/13/2026

Yesterday, the World Class US National Championship continued in Chicago. Another round of challenges brought the competitors back to the stage as the field narrowed and the journey toward World Class US 2026 Bartender of the Year moved closer to its final chapter. Take a look back at some of the moments from Day Two.

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

05/12/2026

Day one in Chicago delivered. The Top 15 took the stage at the World Class US National Championship and got straight to work, showcasing creativity, technique, and the kind of attention to detail that defines this competition. Here’s a look at some of the moments that set the tone for the days ahead.

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

05/08/2026

Next stop: Chicago. These bartenders have pushed their craft and earned their place at the World Class US National Championship. Now they’ll take the stage to compete for World Class US Bartender of the Year and a chance to represent the U.S. at the Global Finals. Let’s send them off in style. 👏

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Our final emcee should be familiar to you all, .Wallace is the reigning World Class US Bartender of the Year. As a Bars ...
05/07/2026

Our final emcee should be familiar to you all, .Wallace is the reigning World Class US Bartender of the Year. As a Bars & Spirits Manager at a luxury coastal resort group, he leads a team of 60+ bartenders across 18 outlets, shaping experiences that feel both thoughtful and personal. A four-time World Class US National Finalist and two-time Speed Round winner, Nic was named the 2025 U.S. World Class Bartender of the Year—capping a journey defined by growth, precision, and leadership.

“World Class has had a defining impact on my career. Over the past 10 years, it has challenged me to grow far beyond building great cocktails and pushed me to become a more complete bartender, leader, and mentor. It sharpened my approach to creativity, discipline, and precision, while also teaching me the importance of storytelling and genuine hospitality in competition and in service. Through the process, I learned how to connect personal meaning to what I create behind the bar, making every cocktail feel more intentional and every interaction more natural. World Class also opened the door to an incredible community of bartenders and mentors who helped shape the way I lead, teach, and represent hospitality today. It has been one of the most influential experiences of my professional life.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Next up, meet another voice taking the stage at the 2026 World Class US Competition. Adam “George” Fournier brings craft...
05/06/2026

Next up, meet another voice taking the stage at the 2026 World Class US Competition. Adam “George” Fournier brings craft, curiosity, and a lot of personality to the stage as a host at .

With 15+ years behind the bar, he’s built and led some of LA’s most respected beverage programs, earned the title of 2021 World Class US Bartender of the Year, and co-founded a consulting collective focused on hospitality, beverage, and education. His work spans everything from cocktail innovation to non-alcoholic programs, always rooted in learning and sharing the craft.

“World Class opened doors and introduced me to people I would have never met without it. The program challenged me to be a better bartender and learn new skills, but the community taught me how to be a better hospitality professional.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

You’ve met the competitors, now meet who’s taking the mic at this year’s competition. is stepping in as an emcee and br...
05/05/2026

You’ve met the competitors, now meet who’s taking the mic at this year’s competition. is stepping in as an emcee and bringing serious World Class credentials with her.

A leader in the Minneapolis bartending community, she oversees beverage programs for some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants while mentoring the next generation and championing more sustainable practices. Named World Class US Bartender of the Year in 2022, she knows firsthand what it takes to compete—and what what opportunities it unlocks.

“My experience with World Class has opened so many doors for me, personally and professionally. I've travelled across the globe and made professional connections that would have been impossible on my own. Competing in World Class means becoming part of a worldwide collective; you'll find an opportunity to build your network in every market. In addition to meeting some of my now-closest friends, I have also progressed in my career and been able to advocate for myself in the job market due to the credibility of World Class.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

The bar is set. Chicago is calling. Experience the World Class US National Championship live and watch the country’s top...
05/04/2026

The bar is set. Chicago is calling. Experience the World Class US National Championship live and watch the country’s top bartenders compete for the title of World Class US Bartender of the Year and a spot at the Global Finals. From brand-sponsored experiences to the competition stage, this is where cocktail culture comes to life.
Learn more here.
http://spr.ly/6181BBTTbU

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

The best judges keep showing up. brings global perspective and deep industry influence to . Now Executive Director of t...
04/30/2026

The best judges keep showing up. brings global perspective and deep industry influence to . Now Executive Director of the Tales_of_the_Cocktail Foundation, she first made her mark in London—earning UK Bartender of the Year—before taking her expertise around the world, with time spent living in Barcelona and Buenos Aires. She went on to lead a global network of 100 brand ambassadors across 40 countries, and today continues to shape the industry through education, consulting on bar programs and cocktail menus, and her work with leading training programs.

A long-time admirer of the World Class experience, Charlotte explains, “I have always been impressed by the way World Class has pushed bartenders beyond their best to a new level of excellence and creativity.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

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