Luca Corradini and Michele Mariotti, both mixologists at the Savoy’s famous American Bar, plus Lorenzo Antinori, from the hotel’s newer Beaufort Bar, have all made the UK shortlist for the Diageo Reserve World Class competition.
The contest sees cocktail makers from across the country take part in a number of challenges. The winner goes on to represent their country and compete for a £10,000 prize in the world final, which this year takes place in Cape Town, South Africa.
Speaking to the Standard, Corradini, 28, said competition between the colleagues was fierce: “I want to win. It would be good if one of the Savoy guys wins but I want it to be me.
“We all work closely together and are friends but the competition and work life is separate. Of course it will be very competitive.
“We have a little practice room and we will have to draw up a rota so we all have the same time in it.”
Corradini, who is originally from the Italian Alps but now lives in Battersea, added: “I think I might hire a spy or a waiter to check out what the others are doing. Then I can know what’s coming and hopefully win.”
The Savoy, whose Cocktail Book featuring hundreds of recipes by legendary American barman Harry Craddock was first published in 1930, is used to doing well in the competition.
Mixologist Erik Lorincz, who worked in the American Bar, won the World Class Global Competition in 2010.
Corradini said the Savoy’s long-standing reputation was why three of the finalists worked at the hotel: “People come from around the world to visit the hotel for its food and drinks.”
Another four London bartenders have made the UK shortlist — Benji Purslow of Keystone Crescent in King’s Cross, Ali Reynolds of Hawksmoor Spitalfields, Tim Laferla from Fitzrovia’s Red Bar at Bam-Bou, and Kyle Wilkinson from The Blind Pig in Soho.
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Corradini added: “World Class is the biggest competition in our industry. It pushes the boundaries.
“That’s also why London is so good for cocktails. It doesn’t look at what is trending — it pushes past all that and makes something unique.”
The seven London finalists will be joined by Ben Williams of Cloud 23 in Manchester, Jon Hughes from Bramble in Edinburgh and Jamie Jones from Manchester.
They will all take part in the World Class UK final at Drummuir Castle on Speyside, Scotland, from June 16 to 18.
Daniel Dove, Diageo Reserve World Class brand ambassador, said: “The competition aims to elevate the craft of the bartender.”
thank to :http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/bars/old-fashioned-rivalry-at-savoy-a...
