Luke Riley, mixologist at Newcastle’s Mother Mercy, has been selected to compete in the next round of the world’s most prestigious cocktail competitions – Diageo World Class GB Bartender of the Year 2024.
The competition is one of the biggest platforms for bartenders worldwide and challenges them to highlight their creativity, passion and skills.
The first stage of the competition required bartenders from across the UK to submit a maximum of two serves for the chance of being placed in the top 100. Luke made it through to the next round with just one other bartender from Newcastle – Angus Mason from Solstice.
In the second phase of the competition, the top 100 will be tasked to create a World Class Cocktail Festival menu consisting of three drinks, which they will showcase as part of the festival which takes place March 9-April 30. The three-drink special will include the ultimate No. TEN Gin welcome drink, the Spirit of the Singleton to highlight the flavours of Singleton whiskey, and Drink Interesting utilising the alcohol-free Seedlip.
The Diageo World Class competition presents an opportunity for bartenders to represent Great Britain in the World Class Global Finals taking place in Shanghai, China, in September 2024. For the first time, all bartenders who make it to the top 100 will also automatically have their bars entered into the World Class Cocktail Festival. The GB grand final of the competition will take place in June.
“This is the biggest competition in the world, and it’s really humbling to be associated with some of the best bartenders in the country,” said Luke.
