The Diageo World Class Finals Will See the Country's Eight Best Bartenders Shaking and Stirring for Their Chance to Represent Australia on the Global Stage
The Diageo World Class national final returns this month — and the winner will go on to represent Australia against the world's best in Toronto later this year.
Eight of the country's most talented cocktail makers have been unveiled as finalists in the 2025 Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition. The national final for this global competition takes place at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Monday, June 30, and will bring together drinks industry leaders for a high-stakes day of creative cocktail mastery, as finalists shake, stir and pour for their chance to represent Australia on the world stage at the global finals in Toronto later this year.
Now in its 16th year, World Class has established itself as one of the world's most prestigious bartending competitions, running in more than 60 countries and having helped to foster the development of more than 400,000 bartenders through its training and advocacy program. The eight Australian finalists represent a cross-section of some of the country's most talked-about venues, from Brisbane's Milquetoast and Adelaide's trap., to Saint Peter in Sydney and Caretaker's Cottage in Melbourne, currently ranked number 21 on the World's 50 Best Bars list.
James Irvine
This year's finalists come from around the country, and feature a mix of established and emerging talent. Returning to the competition this year are Shirley Yeung from Perth's Foxtrot Unicorn and Samuel Cocks from Sydney restaurant Saint Peter — and they'll be joined by Darren Leaney and Tom McHugh (Caretaker's Cottage, Melbourne), James Irvine (Merivale, Sydney), Aidan Perkins (Milquetoast, Brisbane), Darren Burton (Kiin, Adelaide) and Lachlan Gunner (trap., Adelaide).
The national final will put competitors to the test across three distinct challenges, designed to push each bartender's creativity, speed and technical skill. Proceedings open with the Single Origin Soirée, which will see these mix masters craft original cocktails with Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur. Next is Celebration, Curated, where bartenders must deliver a trio of drinks, including one using Tequila Don Julio Minis. The final test marks the return of Diageo's signature Check On! Reserve Challenge, in which competitors race against the clock to produce up to nine classic cocktails using Diageo's premium spirits portfolio. Events will take place in the hotel's bar tilda and the expansive outdoor terrace of Wentworth Bar.
The winner will earn themselves the right to represent Australia at the Global Finals, set to take place in Toronto, Canada, from Saturday, September 27–Thursday, October 2, where they'll compete against bartenders from around the world in a unique multi-format event.
"Diageo World Class stands as the ultimate showcase of bartending excellence, and the Australian competition never fails to inspire," says Kate McGraw, Diageo's Head of Trade Advocacy. "This year's top eight finalists represent the epitome of talent and innovation in the industry. Their mastery, creativity, and dedication to the craft of hospitality promise a final round that will be nothing short of extraordinary."
James Irvine
Shirley Yeung
The Diageo World Class Australian national final takes place at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Monday, June 30. For more information, head to the Diageo Bar Academy website.
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