Latest news with #DiageoWorldClass
South China Morning Post
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Qura bartender wins 2025 Hong Kong and Macau cocktail competition
Quentin Luk has just made a margarita that is sure to change his life. The 32-year-old bartender's preparation of the classic cocktail won him a nail-biting tiebreaker session at the Diageo World Class Hong Kong and Macau 2025 finals to crown him this year's champion following a rigorous day-long competition. Luk, who was representing the Regent Hong Kong hotel's Qura Bar, squared off with Soho House's John Patrick Poon in the unscheduled tiebreaker. Despite displaying visible nerves behind the bar, he showed that his recipe had what it takes. Luk and Poon were among 10 bartenders, whittled down from 20 earlier this year, from Hong Kong and Macau who battled it out in the regional finals of the long-running cocktail competition on July 2 at Gokan bar in Central, on Hong Kong Island. They presented an array of cocktails designed to showcase their creativity, bartending technique and storytelling skills to a panel of judges that included Gokan's Shingo Gokan , past World Class winners Shelley Tai and Massimo Zitti, and this writer. Shingo Gokan was one of four judges for the Diageo World Class Hong Kong and Macau 2025 finals. Photo: Diageo World Class
Time Out
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A Sydney bartender has just been crowned Australia's Best Bartender for 2025
Woohoo: James Irvine, the group creative cocktail lead at Merivale, has just been named Australia's World Class Bartender of the Year, winning the title at the high-energy national finals held overnight at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Monday, June 30. The Sydney legend competed in a series of dynamic challenges alongside seven of the country's best shakers and makers – Aidan Perkins (Milquetoast, Brisbane), Darren Burton (Kiin, Adelaide), Darren Leaney (Caretaker's Cottage, Melbourne), Lachlan Gunner (Trap, Adelaide), Samuel Cocks (Saint Peter, Sydney), Shirley Yeung (Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth) and Tom McHugh (Caretaker's Cottage, Melbourne) – to win gold at the Diageo World Class competition, now in its 16th year. Sydney is on a bloody roll, with Jake Down from Newtown's Pleasure Club winning in 2024, and Eduardo Conde from Paddington's colourful El Primo Sanchez taking out the title in 2023. Irvine says of the win: "This was my eighth time entering the competition, and it feels incredible to finally take out the title. I've drawn on the invaluable mentorship provided by Diageo Bar Academy year after year and have thoroughly enjoyed the creative experience, for almost a decade. 'Bartending is a creative art form, and World Class is the Oscars of bartending competitions – so to be recognised at this level is an absolute honour.' The three challenges were designed to test the bartenders' skill, creativity and speed behind the bar, with Time Out Sydney lucky enough to be in the room for the third and final task: a thrillingly fast-paced challenge where they had to craft nine cocktails (including three different types) in just six minutes. Kate McGraw, Diageo Head of Trade Advocacy, says: 'All eight finalists delivered outstanding performances, but only one could be named Australian Bartender of the Year. James Irvine impressed us with his creativity and innovation, as well as his storytelling and charisma. We are proud to have him represent Australia at the Global Finals in Canada later this year.' On that note, Irvine will soon compete in the 2025 Diageo World Class Global Final, held in Toronto, Canada, from September 27 to October 2, where he will face off against representatives from more than 55 other countries. Biggest congrats to James Irvine and all the other talented finalists. And bring on September!
West Australian
27-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Foxtrot Unicorn: Perth Bartender Shirley Yeung named in Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year
Perth's cocktail scene is about to take centre stage, with Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn's bar manager Shirley Yeung named to compete in the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Diageo World Class is in its 16th year and regarded as the biggest and most influential bartending competition in the world. This year's Australian finals will bring together eight elite bartenders from across Australia for a one-day cocktail showdown. Diageo's head of trade advocacy Kate McGraw said Diageo World Class was the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence. 'The Australian competition never fails to inspire.' she said. 'This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary'. This is the second year in the competition for Ms Yeung, who is also the co-founder of MixHaus, a not-for-profit group creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders nationwide. Ms Yeung is the only West Australian to make the finals this year, with her other competitors being from Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 'To represent Perth and stand alongside some of the most creative bartenders in the country? That's a massive honour. I'm soaking up every minute,' she said. 'I'm equal parts buzzing and terrified — in the best way. World Class is the stage for bartenders who want to push boundaries. It's not just about mixing a great drink — it's about storytelling, technique, sustainability and connection.' 'We're done with playing it safe. Guests are asking smarter questions and bartenders are getting bold with local ingredients, ferments, and native botanicals,' she said. 'High-concept drinks in laid-back venues? That's the vibe. What's not hot? Overcomplicating things. No one wants a 12-step cocktail that takes 15 minutes. We're all about flavour, finesse and fun — and that's why I think Perth's energy belongs on the World Class stage.' The Australian finals will test the bartenders in live challenges involving celebrating coffee culture, creating three custom drinks including one from Tequila Don Julio Minis, and a speed round requiring competitors to craft up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium reserve spirits portfolio. These competitions will determine who will represent Australia on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, later this year. The final will be held on June 30 at the Sofitel in Sydney.
Perth Now
27-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Perth Bartender Shirley Yeung named in Australia's best list
Perth's cocktail scene is about to take centre stage, with Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn's bar manager Shirley Yeung named to compete in the prestigious Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. Diageo World Class is in its 16th year and regarded as the biggest and most influential bartending competition in the world. This year's Australian finals will bring together eight elite bartenders from across Australia for a one-day cocktail showdown. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Diageo's head of trade advocacy Kate McGraw said Diageo World Class was the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence. 'The Australian competition never fails to inspire.' she said. 'This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary'. This is the second year in the competition for Ms Yeung, who is also the co-founder of MixHaus, a not-for-profit group creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders nationwide. Shirley Yeung is a contender for Bartender of the Year. Credit: Supplied Ms Yeung is the only West Australian to make the finals this year, with her other competitors being from Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 'To represent Perth and stand alongside some of the most creative bartenders in the country? That's a massive honour. I'm soaking up every minute,' she said. 'I'm equal parts buzzing and terrified — in the best way. World Class is the stage for bartenders who want to push boundaries. It's not just about mixing a great drink — it's about storytelling, technique, sustainability and connection.' Shirley Yeung is also the co-founder of co-founder of Mix Haus, which is dedicated to creating opportunities for female and non-binary bartenders. Credit: Bartender 'We're done with playing it safe. Guests are asking smarter questions and bartenders are getting bold with local ingredients, ferments, and native botanicals,' she said. 'High-concept drinks in laid-back venues? That's the vibe. What's not hot? Overcomplicating things. No one wants a 12-step cocktail that takes 15 minutes. We're all about flavour, finesse and fun — and that's why I think Perth's energy belongs on the World Class stage.' The Australian finals will test the bartenders in live challenges involving celebrating coffee culture, creating three custom drinks including one from Tequila Don Julio Minis, and a speed round requiring competitors to craft up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium reserve spirits portfolio. These competitions will determine who will represent Australia on the global stage in Toronto, Canada, later this year. The final will be held on June 30 at the Sofitel in Sydney.
CNA
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - 24 heavy vehicle drivers caught for not displaying speed limiter labels in recent three-day operation
CNA938 Rewind - 24 heavy vehicle drivers caught for not displaying speed limiter labels in recent three-day operation Under the law, heavy vehicles with a maximum laden weight exceeding 12 tonnes must be fitted with speed limiters. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head (Research), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NUS, to find out more. 12 mins CNA938 Rewind - Vesak Day celebrations include numerous charitable and outreach efforts Did you know Buddhism is the largest religion in Singapore, according to the 2020 Singapore Census? Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak to Saw Cheng Boon, President of Buddha's Light International Association (Singapore) to find out how the day is observed in Singapore and around the world. 15 mins CNA938 Rewind - Bar hopping abroad with mixologists from Manhattan & Origin Bar In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro discovers the F&B travel adventures of two mixologists/bartenders in Singapore. Cherry Lee, bartender from Origin Bar, Shangri-La will recall her bar travels to Hong Kong and Korea which she finds busy and dynamic. Zana Möhlmann – Manhattan's head bartender - will talk about the party scene and bar snacks culture of The Netherlands where she's from. Being half-Surinamese, she will talk about Suriname cuisine and how it blends five different cultures together. Both are involved in the Diageo World Class competition - the largest and most respected bartending competition for bartenders by Diageo Bar Academy. 19 mins CNA938 Rewind - Explore mental wellness and eye-catching art at Paragon Shopping Mall In 'Made in SG', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with the key people involved in shopping mall Paragon's 'Spring Soiree' campaign. The campaign transforms the mall into a sanctuary of art, nature, and wellness – in support of mental health causes. Koh Pei Li, a renowned Singaporean artist fronting her brand PeiPer, talks about 'Blooming Windmill', a 4.5-metre-tall windmill flower installation symbolising various mental health messages. Mosscape's creative director, Shannon Eng, will describe 'A Botanical Escape' an 18-metre landscape featuring greenery and intricate floral arrangements. Paragon's centre manager, Chan Shuk Ling, will highlight other installations and workshops available to visitors, beyond those led by PeiPer and Mosscape. 33 mins
