Nigeria latest news today captures the excitement of a new breakthrough in the country's hospitality and entertainment sector with the official kick-off of the sixth edition of the World Class Bartender Competition, held by DIAGEO Nigeria. It is not just a competition—it's a launching pad for the careers of Nigerian bartenders to showcase their talents, improve their craft, and receive top-notch training from experts.
Celebrating the Art of Mixology in Nigeria
Since its global debut in 2009, the World Class Bartender Competition has become a global phenomenon, celebrating creativity, innovation, and mixology excellence. For 2025, auditions will be held in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, as DIAGEO Nigeria searches for Nigeria's next mixology superstar.
As indicated by Nigeria latest news today, the competition is a life-changing experience for bartenders to advance their careers to the next level and engage with industry players domestically and internationally.
A Life-Changing Experience for Bartenders
At the launch, in his words, DIAGEO world-class mixologist and cocktailian Robert Baboyan emphasized the importance of the competition:
"World Class is not just about winning. It's an educational journey that challenges bartenders to push boundaries and perfect their craft."
Three Stages of Creative Mastery
The competition has three dynamic phases:
- Online Entry: Bartenders post a video showcasing their skills with the event's specific hashtag.
- Studio Training: Selected participants receive hands-on training in advanced mixology, learning to craft with premium spirits like Johnnie Walker, Don Julio, and The Singleton.
- Local and National Challenges: Contestants return to their cities to design original cocktails for presentation. Best performing ones go to the national finals, where the best performer will get the privilege to represent Nigeria on the international stage at Toronto, Canada.
As mentioned in Nigeria news today, such a format helps to not only have bartenders compete—but move through mentorship and exposure.
Transforming Careers and Lives
Modo, past winner and brand ambassador, shared with us how World Class changed his life:
"Each winner has gained worldwide recognition and propelled career development. It's a platform that not only changes skills—but lives."
Introducing Nigerian Flavors to the World
Commercial Director of DIAGEO Nigeria, Ujunwa Chukwumah, expressed a vision of the future to us:
"We want Nigeria to be recognized globally for our unique, rich cocktail ingredients. This competition is about developing a homegrown industry with global reach."
Why This Matters
As part of Nigeria latest news today, the comeback of the World Class Bartender Competition is a big win for the beverage, tourism, and lifestyle industries in the country. It opens up new avenues for local talent, the global promotion of indigenous flavors, and international recognition for Nigeria's cocktail culture.
Tune in for audition updates, behind-the-scenes, and national finals action. Follow DIAGEO Nigeria on social media and keep an eye out for the official competition hashtag.