NEW YORK, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty
mixologists, five Cocktail Luminaries, four challenges - all to
determine who will journey to Rio de
Janeiro to represent the United
States in the world's largest international cocktail
program. After months of scouring the country and searching
for America's top talent behind the bar, the United States
Bartenders' Guild has named Richard
Gomez the first ever Diageo World Class U.S. Ambassador.
Emerging from the nation's top cocktail talent, Ricky will travel
to Brazil in July to compete at
the World Class Global Final against 47 of his peers from around
the globe.
"This is an unbelievable opportunity and I can't express how
excited I am to be the first ever Diageo World Class U.S.
Ambassador," said Gomez. "My fellow participants are an
amazing illustration of American mixology talent and I am truly
honored that my skills were chosen to represent the U.S. in the
international finals this summer."
This announcement of the Diageo World Class U.S. winner
concludes a two-month, nationwide search for the top mixologists
and bartenders led by the USBG. Beginning April 4, 2012, cocktail craftsmen from across the
country applied online for the opportunity to demonstrate their
knowledge of cocktail culture. Following the close of entries, 20
finalists were chosen to travel to one of the cocktail capitals of
the United States, New York City, to prove their skills.
On June 19, 2012, the finalists
competed in four challenges judged by top Cocktail Luminaries
including Jim Meehan, Tony Abou-Ganim, Julie
Reiner, Steve Olson and USBG
National President David Nepove.
After months of preparation, Gomez emerged victorious and was named
the ultimate honoree during a celebration ceremony at New York's IAC Center.
"We are extremely excited to extend Ricky Gomez the opportunity to become the first
ever Diageo World Class U.S. Ambassador," said Mark Schulte, Diageo's Senior Vice President of
Customer Marketing. "We know that his supreme talent, cocktail
knowledge and mixology skills will make the United States proud when representing our
country at the international competition in Brazil. We are confident that he will
personify American cocktail culture and enter the World Class
league by celebrating with World Class responsibility."
The World Class Global Final is a landmark week in the spirits
industry that sets the trends of mixology worldwide. While in
Brazil, Gomez will spend five days
participating in a series of challenges judged by some of the most
renowned and respected in the industry and have the opportunity to
earn the title of "Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year."
For additional information about the program and Ricky Gomez's journey to becoming the Diageo
World Class U.S. Ambassador, visit www.DiageoWorldClassUSA.com.
Join the conversation by following @WorldClassUS on Twitter, use
the hashtag #CocktailChallenge and visit
www.facebook.com/WorldClassUS.
About USBG
The USBG is the largest network of professional bartenders
in the U.S. who come together to share the craft of mixology. With
over 60 years of presence in the United
States and International coverage in affiliation with the
International Bartender's Association (IBA) in over 50 countries,
the United States Bartenders' Guild is setting the standard for the
profession throughout the country. With the resurgence and
increasing popularity of the cocktail, there is a high demand for
creative and professional bartenders. As an industry leader, the
USBG is responsible for educating its members about current trends
while encouraging them to start new ones. For more information,
visit www.usbg.org.
About Diageo
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an
outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits,
beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie
Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff,
Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and
performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
SOURCE Diageo