Jacob Martin from Canada has been named the 2023 World Class Global Bartender of the Year.
In doing so, he prevailed from a field of 10,000 worldwide bartenders, including GB's Matt Arnold who got as far at the final 12.
The World Class final - this year in São Paulo - saw bartenders compete over four days of challenges.
Martin said: “It’s an unbelievable honour to win World Class. Not just because it’s the pinnacle of the industry but also because of the giants I’ve had the privilege of competing with this week. Bartending is an amazing community and this week has constantly reminded me of that.
“We have all pushed each other, learned from each other and fed off the amazing energy from this fantastic city. The standard of the competition was out of this world, but right now I’m just looking forward to enjoying a cocktail made by someone else!”
As part of the competition, São Paulo has seen world-renowned bartenders including Monica Berg (from London’s Tayer + Elementary), Giacomo Giannotti (from the World’s Best Bar, Paradiso in Barcelona) and Ago Perrone (from London’s The Connaught Bar) judge the event and host ‘World Class’ experiences.
The competition also signals the beginning of the World Class Cocktail Festival, with bar collaborations across the city including Bar Dos Arcos, Tan Tan and Guilhotina Bar.
This year’s World Class also saw the inclusion of the Industry Forum, a chance to engage, educate and inspire the bartending community with seminars and panel discussions from World Class judges and guests.
Marissa Johnston, global head of Diageo World Class said: “Following last year’s World Class in Sydney was always going to be a big ask, but the World Class teams around the world, the Brazil team and, of course, our amazing 54 competitors have all stepped up to the plate and knocked it out the park.
“The level of energy on the ground here is incredible and after so many months of planning it’s been such a thrill to see it all come together like this. It’s so exciting to see a city come alive with great drinks and great experiences.
"Jacob has truly taken this competition to the next level – he excelled across the board and the feedback from the judges has been incredible. Jacob is such a deserving winner and I can’t wait to work with him over the next 12 months – he’ll go far.”