Jacob Manurung is Indonesia’s Best Bartender to Compete in Global Final, Glasgow

KUTA, Badung (BPN) – After an intense four months of training and competitions, eight top bartenders from Jakarta and Bali emerged as the finalists for one of the world’s prominent bartending competition, Indonesia World Class Competition 2019, for the Best Bartender of the Year, held at Sugarsand Bali, on Friday.

The eight finalists were stringently selected from Jakarta and Bali and were chosen by Diageo Indonesia Brand Ambassador Wawan Kurniawan and team based on five factors, including Hosting (communication skill), Crafting (technique of making and presenting), Assessment of the taste and aroma of the cocktail, the spirit selection and whether it is balanced or not, Knowledge, Storytelling (the story behind the drink).

The National Finals consists of three challenges; first is the Tartan Tiki and My Mixer Challenge, second is The Showdown and lastly Smoke Integration. Finalist had to complete the challenge in the shortest time possible without comprising on the quality of the cocktail as they will be judged on their timing and quality of the drinks.

At the best three, finalists have to create a Johnnie Walker Black Label drink inspired by Indonesian ingredient and culture.

Jacob Manurung from Djournal House, Jakarta, emerged as the Best Bartender of the Year and to represent Indonesia at the Final Diageo World Class Competition in Glasgow, Scotland on September 2019.

“I believe that cocktail is not just a drink, but there are story and history in it. I did simple things for the competition because for me a cocktail is basically a delicious beverage,” Jacob said.

The global final will be participated by over 40 finalists from around the world in an international celebration of the craft of the bartender and fine drinking. Once selected as the Global Diageo World Class Competition Bartender of the Year 2019, the winner will earn the privilege of showcasing all of his/her mastery and skill in creating cocktails, as well as to travel and share experiences around the globe.

“As the global business leader in premium beverages and with an outstanding collection of alcoholic beverage brands in categories from spirits to beer, Diageo wants to help broaden the knowledge, theories, and techniques that are applied when serving drinks by bartenders all over the world and also Indonesia. Looking at all finalists in Indonesia, I’m happy to say that the quality of bartending skills just gets better and better. By getting better, bartenders will answer consumers expectation that there’s a real interest in what it takes to create and enjoy outstanding cocktails,” Wawan Kurniawan said.

In addition to Indonesia’s own high-profile guest judges, highly regarded guest judges from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia’s had also been invited to form the panel of judges for Indonesia World Class Competition 2019 National Final.

These judges are Jane Kaew-yod who was the Best Bartender Diageo World Class Thailand 2018, Shawn Chong who was the Best Bartender Diageo World Class Thailand 2015, Lam Chi Mun as DBA Director from Singapore and Andrew Soetiono from Indonesia Whisky Research Society.