Philadelphia, PA - Orlando Marzo, coming from Melbourne's famous Lûmé eatery, has recently been named the world's best bartender winning the biggest bartending event in the world, "WORLD CLASS Global Bartender of the Year 2018".
Orlando overcomes 10,000 bartenders coming from every corner of the globe in a challenge that spanned five continents, six months, hundreds of challenges and numerous cocktails. It ended in a four-day final, where 56 of the best bartenders in the Industry fought it out in the international cultural hotspot of Berlin.
Shaking it all the way to the top was no mean feat for this leading bartender, but his winning cocktails well and truly blew the judges away. Diageo Global Cocktailian and WORLD CLASS judge, Lauren Mote, said: "All the finalists brought their A game, but Orlando was on another level. The Zacapa aperitif he made for the 'Before and After' challenge was one of the best I've ever tasted and the way he held his nerve in the 'Cocktail Clash' finale - for me, that's the mark of a truly WORLD CLASS bartender."
2018 signifies the 10th anniversary of WORLD CLASS, and guests at this year's Finals in Berlin were treated to a show unlike any other. In an eclectic capital known for its cutting-edge bar scene, trends were set, new ground was broken, and the boundaries of mixology were pushed further than ever before. The competition kicked off on Friday 5th October, as dozens of the world's best mixologists gathered for the most significant event on the bartending calendar. On Monday, after a grueling weekend of challenges, 56 competitors were whittled down to the final four, who put every skill in their bartending arsenal to use in the 'Cocktail Clash' grand finale.
Orlando has an incredible year ahead of him - he will have the chance to travel the world as a Diageo representative, making bespoke drinks in exotic and far-flung locations and judging competitions. He will also join a roll call of the industry's finest, becoming the 10th member of the WORLD CLASS Hall of Fame.
