James Chaib best Dutch bartender 2019 during the World Class Competition

James Chaib, bartender at Bar The Tailor located in NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has been named Dutch DIAGEO WORLD CLASS ™ Bartender of the Year 2019. This became known during the Northern European finals of the World Class Competition on 1 and 2 July in the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam. 18 Bartenders from six different countries competed against each other. One winner was chosen per country. James Chaib will represent The Netherlands during the international final in Glasgow in September.

Bartenders Andrea Boi, Helder Fortes Silva and James Chaib represented our country in the final. After several challenging rounds, James managed to convince the audience and the three-man jury of the win. He will be heading to Glasgow on September 25 and 26 for the International Final of the World Class Competition, where bartenders from all over the world compete for the title of World Class Bartender of the Year 2019 Worldwide.

About the Northern European Final of the World Class Competition 2019

All Northern European countries organized a semifinal in May where three finalists per country were chosen to go to the final. The jury members assessed the candidates on technique, presentation, creativity, taste and balance. The jury for the Dutch finalists:

-Charlotte Halsius - Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador
-Fjalar Gold - Isaac Company and former World Class Western Europe winner 2012
-Ingmar Voerman - Bar Industry journalist

The last two rounds of the race were all about durability and speed. During the Bee Conscious trial, bartenders came up with a cocktail concept around the preservation of bees in their own region. During the final test, the finalists were given seven minutes to create six cocktails that the jury judged on speed, creativity and elegance.

The World Class Competition is the world's largest bartending competition with more than 10,000 bartenders from 56 different countries.