First female takes title at Diageo World Class Bartender competition

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 30 September, 2016

France's Jennifer Le Nechet has become the first female bartender to be crowned the world's best bartender at the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Final 2016.

Following a four-day battle in Miami, she triumphed over a record-breaking 10,000 applicants who entered this year's competition.

The French bartender, who currently works at Café Moderne in Paris, impressed the judges by creating a range of drinks at her Steampunk themed pop-up bar.

Now in its 8^th year, the record-breaking number of applicants were whittled down to 56 - including GB winner Aidan Bowie - and then to six for the final.

"I'm completely blown away - it's such an honour to take home the title of World's Best Bartender - especially when competing against such talent from around the world," Le Nechet said.

"This week has inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of flavours and to explore how all the senses can be engaged through cocktails."

Le Nechet will now take on the role of Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador.

Over the next year, she will help to judge competitions and make drinks in locations around the world.

The World Class Competition was started by Smirnoff producer Diageo in 2009 and since then, the number of countries participating has tripled from 18 to 56.

Johanna Dalley, World Class director at Diageo Reserve, said: "We are proud to bring you this year's crop of the world's most skilled bartenders, and to learn about the newest and greatest drinks experiences on offer. Jennifer is the deserved winner, and we are delighted to have a female winner for the first time, but the five runners up were all worthy contenders."

Alex Kratena, judge and founder of P(OUR, said the judges had been "blown away" by the standard of this year's competition.

Diageo's World Class programme sits alongside its Diageo Reserve portfolio, which accounts for more than 15% of the company's total sales, and has grown by 7% this financial year.

Entry for World Class 2017 opens on November 9.

Next year's final will be in Mexico City.

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