Diageo Global Travel and Middle East(GTME) today announced a brand new 2013 partnership with Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to deliver an on-board cocktail training program, as portion of one in all world’s most prestigious mixology competitions – DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS.
Over 400 cruise line bartenders can be trained in progressive cocktail trends and pitted against one another, in a chain of heats. A cruise line finalist will then go forward to participate within the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year final, competing alongside bar tenders from the four corners of the globe.
Bartenders could be trained in innovative cocktail-making trends along with ‘Retro Chic,’ ‘Tropical Journey,’ and ‘Hollywood Bollywood Hong Kong,’ balancing a spirit of old skool glamour with concoctions along with the ‘Casino Royale.’ They are going to even be coached to develop creativity and showmanship in DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS, the drinks industry’s largest and most credible investment in luxury drinking experiences.
Launched in 2009, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS operates in 50 countries and has inspired and educated over 15,000 bartenders from world wide, using the best spirits from the Diageo Reserve collection. This year’s global final can be held aboard a boutique cruise liner within the Mediterranean Sea[1] – highlighting the increasing importance of the cruise channel in cocktail culture.
Following a successful pioneering partnership with Princess Cruises last year, Norwegian Cruise Lines is welcomed to this system for 2013, placing both on the forefront of mixology trends.
Philip Duff , expert mixologist at Liquid Solutions is leading the educational: “We are thrilled to be working with Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to immerse their bartenders in innovative cocktail trends. By equipping the ships’ bartenders with these progressive skills we’re all helping to bring a special fine drinking environment to cruise passengers internationally.”
Louise Higgins , Marketing Director, GTME Americas, said: “We are delighted to be investing in and expanding this system this year to welcome Norwegian Cruise Line on-board. Last year Princess Cruises was our first partner in WORLD CLASS. Both are renowned for his or her best-in-class bartenders. By participating in what’s one of many world’s most credible cocktail competitions, these bartenders will take their cocktail making skills to new levels and hone their excellent customer support skills – all to the good thing about guests who will enjoy their innovative creations within the luxury setting of the cruise liners.”
Peter Tobler , Vp, Food and Beverage Operations, Princess Cruises said: “Based at the huge success of worldwide CLASS last year, we’re delighted to be back for a second year. Certainly one of our bartenders reached the worldwide final last year in Rio de Janeiro and we hope to recreate this success in 2013. We believe this partnership with Diageo GTME will further excite our cruise passengers and make their fine drinking experience on-board our ships much more memorable. WORLD CLASS isn’t just about showcasing the world’s best bartenders, it’s about inspiring them to be pioneers within the innovative and ever-changing cocktail arena. We’re delighted that we’ll have the ability to treat our passengers to a winning combination of the world’s finest luxury spirits and the newest trends in mixology.”
Wesley Cort , Director of Restaurant & Beverage Development and Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “Introducing our bartending talent to DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS will take the standard of our guest service to new levels of excellence. Our guests are searhing for luxury experiences and the best spirits while on vacation. This program may also help our bar team to augment those experiences with expanded knowledge of premium spirits, fresh ideas for cocktails and a capability to entertain our guests.”
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