El Primo Sanchez bartender Eduardo Conde has done Australia proud at the Diageo World Class Global Final.

The prestigious competition was held in Sao Paolo, Brazil from 24-28 of September, with Conde joining more than 50 other global finalists from countries including the United States, Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom, to represent their nation and battle it out for the coveted title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year.

Conde, who relocated to Australia from Mexico almost a decade ago, is the bar manager at Sydney’s El Primo Sanchez.

While Conde didn’t make it to the top 12, Diageo National Trade Advocacy Manager Kate McGraw praised his stellar performance and attitude throughout the competition.

“Coming to World Class Globals is a huge, incredible thing,” she said “It takes months upon months of work; late nights, dozens of cocktail recipes.
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“The one thing you can’t practice is being a good dude. The biggest win is the impact this guy has had on each and every person that he’s met along the way. It’s become impossible for me to walk around for five minutes without somebody pulling me aside and saying what a beautiful soul Eduardo is!”

The world’s best bartender for 2023

Canada’s Jacob Martin was named 2023 World Class Global Bartender of the Year.

The competition saw him participate in a series of challenges over four days. From creating classic cocktails and elevating them to a TEN with bartender favourite, Tanqueray No. TEN, Jacob also dared to go one step beyond with Johnnie Walker Black Label’s versatility of flavours, as well as creating a Ketel One Garnished with Good cocktail which not only impressed the judges with its flavour creativity but delivered a positive impact in their local community in Canada.  

Martin said: “It’s an unbelievable honour to win World Class. Not just because it’s the pinnacle of the industry but also because of the giants I’ve had the privilege of competing with this week. Bartending is an amazing community and this week has constantly reminded me of that.

“We have all pushed each other, learned from each other and fed off the amazing energy from this fantastic city. The standard of the competition was out of this world, but right now I’m just looking forward to enjoying a cocktail made by someone else!”

Among the judges was Melbourne’s Orlando Marzo, who was crowned World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2018.

As part of the competition, São Paulo saw world-renowned bartenders including Monica Berg (from London’s Tayer + Elementary), Giacomo Giannotti (from the World’s Best Bar, Paradiso in Barcelona) and Ago Perrone (from London’s The Connaught Bar) descend on the city to judge the event and host special ‘World Class’ experiences in some of the city’s most iconic nightlife venues.  

The competition also signalled the beginning of the World Class Cocktail Festival, with amazing bar collaborations across the city including Bar Dos Arcos, Tan Tan and Guilhotina Bar.  

Overall, The World Class Cocktail Festival extended to over 1000 venues across Brazil, giving hundreds of thousands of cocktail lovers unique experiences.  

This year’s World Class also saw the inclusion of the Industry Forum, a chance to engage, educate and inspire the bartending community with seminars and panel discussions from World Class judges and guests – highlights included: “From Insta to IRL: trends and how to master them”, featuring World Class 2017 winner, Kaitlyn Stewart and Diageo Global Reserve Culture Manager, Giuliana Pe Benito and “Behind the Scenes of the World’s Best Bars” with bar owners including Monica Berg, Thiago Benares and Benjamin Padron.

Sydney a hard act to follow

Diageo World Class Global Head Marissa Johnston said that following last year’s incredible World Class event and cocktail festival in Sydney was always going to be a big ask.

“But the World Class teams around the world, the Brazil team and, of course, our amazing 54 competitors have all stepped up to the plate and knocked it out the park,” she said.

“The level of energy on the ground here is incredible and after so many months of planning it’s been such a thrill to see it all come together like this. It’s so exciting to see a city come alive with great drinks and great experiences.  

“Jacob has truly taken this competition to the next level – he excelled across the board and the feedback from the judges has been incredible. Jacob is such a deserving winner and I can’t wait to work with him over the next 12 months – he’ll go far.”  

Since its launch in 2009, Diageo World Class has played a significant role in inspiring better drinking and transforming cocktail culture around the world by supporting over 450,000 bartenders worldwide through training and education.

The Diageo World Class 2024 final will be held in Shanghai.

For more information on World Class and to keep up to date with the latest drinks, trends and training, visit: www.diageobaracademy.com/en_zz/world-class-/ 

The Aussie behind Diageo World Class