Ali Reynolds named Diageo Reserve World Class UK Bartender of the Year

Ali Reynolds, of Hawksmoor Spitalfields, has won the title of Diageo Reserve World Class UK Bartender of the Year, following the UK final held this week at Drummuir Castle in Scotland.

Reynolds' win has earned him a place at the global final, which will be held in South Africa this September.

The competition, now in its seventh year, opened in November and saw judges visit more than 400 of the UK's best bars, to invite bartenders to enter the competition. Ten finalists were then selected over two heats and invited to the UK final for three days of intensive trials.

Finalists were set three challenges designed to push bartenders to their limits. The first, called Ground to Glass, saw chef Lee Westcott of the Typing Room in London create a menu using a range of rare ingredients, foraged from the grounds of Drummuir Castle. Finalists were challenged to create drinks pairings to complement and enhance the unusual elements and flavours in the dishes.

The second challenge, Deconstruct/Reconstruct, tasked finalists with deconstructing a unique ‘World Class Blend' created for the competition by Master Blender Jim Beveridge. Contestants were asked to identify the six whiskies included, out of eight presented to them, breaking each element down by percentage to showcase their skill and knowledge of the category.

Finally, in the Signature Drinks round, the top 10 were asked to create two serves, one to represent ‘who they are' and a second to reflect the bar in which they work. The challenge was set to encourage competitors to use unique methods, techniques, vessels and ideas that push the limits of conventional cocktail making.

Judges on the panel included nominated International Bartender of the Year, Ryan Chetiyawardana of White Lyan, and World Class Bartender of the Year 2014, James Fowler.

World Class UK Bartender of the Year 2015, Ali Reynolds, said: "It's a real honour to be crowned the World Class UK Bartender of the Year 2015. This year's competition has been the biggest and best yet, with the innovative challenges stretching us on so many different levels of bartending. I cannot wait to represent the UK in the global final in South Africa."

Dan Dove, Diageo Reserve World Class brand ambassador, added: "This year's UK final has blown us all away. The talent we've seen in our search and throughout the challenges set has been unprecedented. Ali Reynolds truly embodies what we are looking for in global finalists. An all-rounder, Ali's insight, creativity and originality truly earned him the title."

Head of Diageo Reserve GB, Nick Temperley, said: "The Diageo Reserve World Class competition seeks out the next generation of bartending talent and those who will pave the way for innovation across the drinks industry. Ali Reynolds showcased his craft and insight perfectly, truly earning his place in the global final in South Africa, and we'll be supporting him all the way."

As well as taking part in the final, Reynolds will travel the world identifying, inspiring and educating new bartending talent. He will also become a World Class judge and mentor, and be included in a promotion feature in GQ magazine.

Hawksmoor Spitalfields, where Reynolds has worked for three years, wins a £10,000 marketing fund to create an exclusive World Class ritual serve.

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