World Class bartending competition kicks off in Kenya

The East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has announced the 9th edition of its World Class Kenya 2024 Bartending Competition.

The competition runs worldwide with more than 60 nations hoping to have one of their own crowned The Top Bartender in the world.

“Last year, we saw the very best the country has to offer, with bartenders from various backgrounds pouring their personalities and inspiration into every glass,” said Suwilanji Ngambi, the EABL National Advocacy Manager during the launch on May 9, 2024.

“We have 40 talented individuals ready to stake their claim to being the Top Bartender not just here in Kenya but in the World and with support from EABL, through our bootcamps and studio sessions, we believe they can all surpass their current level and realize their dreams.”

The journey began on April 9th with an online zoom training session focusing on the first-round challenge, ‘JW Beyond a Night Cap,’ which saw over 270 entrants challenging for the top 40.

The challenge aimed to spotlight the depth of flavor and versatility of Johnnie Walker Black Label while testing the bartenders' understanding of classic cocktail structure.

May 9th marked the second Community Day at the KBL Microbrewery, where the top 40 participants engaged in the second-round challenge.

Speaking at the event, EABL’s Luxury Brand Ambassador Wangari Mwangi noted, in the challenge, bartenders would showcase their skills with ‘Singleton at the Disco.’

Submissions for the second round will be made in the latter weeks of May to allow for deliberations as the top 20 are finally selected, earning a coveted spot in the semi finals slated for June 4, 2024.

Thereafter, the top six finalists will be selected for a showdown to determine the best of the best.

But before they dive into the final, interactive studio sessions and bootcamps will be held to refine their craft and techniques in preparation for the challenges at the tail end of June 2024.

The grand finale on June 20th of the #WorldClassKE 2024 will crown the competition at the KBL Microbrewery, where the top six contestants will vie for the title of Kenya's top bartender.