Tag Archive for: world class

Charles Joly Joins 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards Judging Panel

October 10, 2023/in News

Charles Joly, World Class Global Bartending Winner and Official mixologist of the Emmy’s and Oscars Joins 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards Judging Panel.

Bartender Spirits Awards is pleased to share that Charles Joly, World Class Global Bartending Winner and Official mixologist of the Emmy’s and Oscars Joins 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards Judging Panel.

A global bartending champion, James Beard Award winning beverage designer and guest experience guru, Charles Joly is a leader in the international craft cocktail and spirits movement. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, he has helped to usher in the modern age of the cocktail.

Fresh off of his fifth year creating and serving the signature cocktails at the Oscars and Emmys, he is a go-to entertainment personality for sources like People, E!, Access Hollywood, US Weekly, The Today Show, Rachel Ray and others. Charles is sought out for his refined palate, creativity and no-nonsense approach to hosting.

As one of the most respected authorities in the beverage field, Charles regularly shares the stage with his celebrity counterparts from the culinary world. He’s had the honor of creating cocktail pairings alongside Dominque Crenn, Stephanie Izard, Jose Andres and other visionaries.

Charles recently shared a judging panel with Andrew Zimmern and Emeril at Eric Ripert’s Cayman Cookout, because even bartenders need to eat. His shakers have a lot of miles on them, helming the bar at marquis events like the Grammys, Kentucky Derby, Jimmy Kimmel’s after parties and quieter affairs such as the Scott Brother’s 40th Birthday, Oprah’s 25th anniversary, celebrity weddings and private performances.

Regardless of the venue, Charles never strays from his light-hearted and direct take on cocktails: respect your guest, respect your craft, be present, use honest ingredients and have fun along the way! The only American ever to win World Class by Diageo, the largest and most prestigious bartending competition on the planet, Charles has racked up an impressive list of awards. Highlights include NBC’s On the Rocks reality series, where he took home top honors and $100,000 prize, 4 James Beard nominations in addition to his win, making the list of “10 of the Most Influential Bartenders” by Bon Appétit and being named “US Bartender of the Year” by Tales of the Cocktail. His passion for culture, history, traditions and the people behind the cocktails and spirits we love have taken him to more than 50 countries.

Charles teamed up with Fortessa Tableware Solutions to create a functional and stunning line of bar tools and glassware for the home bartender and professional alike. Entertainment experts like Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel agreed that he had hit the mark and joined in as partners. Charles was raised by his grandparents on Chicago’s South Side and continues to carry on his blue collar roots.

He’s been fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with fantastic charities over the years including No Kid Hungry/Taste of the Nation, Meals On Wheels, Habitat For Humanity, countless rescue animal organizations and many others.

When he’s not mixing up cocktails, Charles is spending time with his rescue pittie, Jackson (#AdoptDontShop), scouring vintage and flea markets for buried treasure that he shares on his Instagram account @TellTailVintage and trying to keep his many house plants alive.

Academy Awards, Official Mixologist 2015-2020
Emmys, Official Mixologist 2015-2020
Grammys, Official Mixologist 2015
Kentucky Derby, Official Mixologist 2015-2018
2015/2016/2017/2018 James Beard Awards, Beverage Professional semi-finalist
2014- Diageo World Class Global Champion, only American to ever win this title
2014- World’s Best Cocktail Menu, Tales of the Cocktail
2013- James Beard Award, Outstanding Beverage Program
2013- US Bartender of the Year, Tales of the Cocktail
NBC “On the Rocks” $100,000 Winner,
Best Bartender in America
Bon Appétit- 10 Most Influential Bartenders of the Past 10 Years
Wine Enthusiast- 40 Under 40 Spirits/Wine Professionals
Crain’s Business, 2014- 40 Under 40

And the list keeps going.

Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network and Bartender Spirits Awards

‘I am extremely pleased with the 2024 judging panel. Brands will get solid value by being judged by these judges as brands will be getting a detailed score breakdown, market feedback and professional tasting notes from these buyers. These are really America’s top bartenders, mixologists and bar managers and to win a medal here will be a solid feedback if the goal is to grow in the on-premise channel of USA’, says, Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, Organizers of Bartender Spirits Awards.

Using the tagline “Judged By Bartenders, Bar Managers, and Off-Premise Managers For The On-Premise Industry,” the Bartender Spirits Awards will recognize, encourage, promote, and celebrate excellence in the U.S. drinks industry for the 6th time. The aim of this international spirits competition is to provide independent and honest reviews for brands targeting the U.S. bar trade.

The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the U.S. bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise industry. The result will be a relevant and practical source of reference for bartenders, bar managers, bar owners, and other industry professionals when making purchasing decisions for their establishments.

Brands looking to enter into America’s leading spirits competition for the on-premise should enter before October 31 to get the super early bird pricing.

Get In Front Of Leading Bartenders and Grow Your On-Premise Presence. Now Accepting International and Domestic Submissions. Enter Your Brands Before Super Early Deadline Is October 31, 2023, and Save.

Quick Sips with Charles Joly

May 25, 2023/in Featured Bartender, Bartending, News

Quick sips with Charles Joly, a globally-acclaimed mixologist and one of the judges of this year’s USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By Diageo US Finals.

We were able to chat with Charles Joly right before the 2023 World Class US Finals this year and get to know him more. Check out the full interview below and be sure to follow Charles and World Class on social for more.

Bartender Magazine: Hi Charles, hope you have been while. This chat about World Class and US Finals. For those who don’t know, have you competed in World Class before?

Charles Joly: I competed in World Class in 2014. Somehow the stars aligned and I won my region, then the national title and went on to represent the United States at the world competition hosted in Scotland and England. It was a wildly intense few days. We began at the legendary Gleneagles Resort in rural Scotland, competed on the Orient Express as it took us to London, entered the next challenge just beside the train platforms in St Pancras Station and had the final of the shore of the River Thames. When the dust settled, I took home top honors as the first American to win the global title.

BM: That is incredible! How long have you been a World Class Judge?

CJ: I started judging after my win in 2014. Aside from judging the US regionals and finals, I also am on the team for the Global competition each year. I’ve had the privilege of sitting in on about 15 other countries’ national finals as well.

BM: What challenge are you most looking forward to seeing this year at US Finals? Personally, we love the Speed Round, but it is also the hardest to watch, so…much…anxiety!

CJ: I’m honestly looking forward to the entire process. The beauty of World Class is that it doesn’t simply test your ability to make a cocktail. Across the challenges, we’ll see the bartenders showcasing all of the skills we utilize behind the bar on any given shift.

BM: What would you say is the hardest part about World Class?

CJ: We all have our strengths and weaknesses, so competitors will find challenges in different parts of the event. I think the unseen challenge is generally keeping yourself organized, focused and not flustered. There are a lot of moving parts and multiple days of challenges.

Keeping your cool is essential while working in hospitality. World Class tests that, even when you’re not officially “on stage”.

BM: With the summer coming, what drink or drinks are you most looking forward to making a comeback or coming back around?

CJ:I love a great summer sipper; something light and effervescent. I’m also a huge fan of tiki and tropical cocktails, regardless of what the calendar says. If I see a slushie machine churning, count me in. I don’t believe in “guilty pleasures”, drink what you want. I’m the first in line for a Miami Vice.

BM: If you could have a cocktail with anyone in history, who would you choose and why?

CJ: My grandparents, somewhere in the late 1930s. My late grandmother would have been 21 just a couple months before prohibition ended. I’d love to meet them in their heyday, pile into a tufted, round booth at some cabaret and listen to live music while sipping simple classics and chatting away the night.

BM: Thanks as always for the time, what is next up for you?

CJ: I’m continuing to work on my decade old project, Crafthouse Cocktails. The entire category of real, high quality, ready-to-serve drinks is growing wildly.

I’ve also been working with an exciting craft ice startup in Northern California called Abstract Ice. They’re really taking a different approach to this important ingredient. I’m excited to see what we can do together.

I continue to work on my barware and glassware line as well, Crafthouse by Fortessa. There hasn’t been a slowdown in folk’s interest in cocktails- both at the bar and at home. We’re always working on design innovation and new potential pieces.

We will continue to follow and watch Charles and look forward to next years USBG presents World Class sponsored by Diageo US Finals!

The 2023 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year: Renato Tonelli

May 23, 2023/in Featured Bartender, Bartending, News

After three challenging days of exceptional craft cocktail showmanship with the nation’s top 30 bartenders at the US Finals, the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by DIAGEO announced Renato Tonelli as the 2023 U.S. Bartender of the Year!

Renato Tonelli got his start in the hospitality industry working globally in Rome before broadening and perfecting his craft in Brussels, Melbourne, and eventually returning to New York City where he was born and raised. With a growing passion for sustainability practices, Tonelli is best known for his love of developing unique and delicious recipes that upcycle food waste. Demonstrating unparalleled hospitality and creativity, Tonelli showcased a skilled and thoughtful approach to the prestigious competition, earning the honor of representing the U.S. at the Global Finals in Sāo Paolo, Brazil this fall.

Hosted in Austin, TX, the World Class US Finals took place at a combined event where the best bartenders across the country first competed in three challenges over two days. From there, the Top 5 Finalists were selected to compete in two final showdown challenges. The showstopping competition of the nation’s leading bartenders resulted in Renato Tonelli being crowned the winner who will move on to the World Class Global Finals

Those interested in taking a shot at the US Bartender of the Year title are invited to apply for the 2024 USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO program. Follow @WorldClassUS and @BartenderMagazine Instagram to learn more and be alerted when applications open this summer.

In the meantime, try your hand at Renato Tonelli’s recipes that helped him win the US Finals this year.

: With a passion for sustainability practices, Tonelli is best known for his love of developing unique and delicious recipes that upcycle food recipes that upcycle food waste.

: Renato Tonelli was a standout talent, demonstrating that passion and determination for the trade can truly lead to success.

Market Sangria

Ingredients:

1.25 oz Ketel One Family Made Vodka Infused With Fig
1.25 oz Local Orange Wine
1 oz Clarified Grape Juice
2 oz Pink Lady Apple Kombucha
0.5 oz Local Infused Honey
2 dashes Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom
4 dashes Saline Solution
Garnish: Upcycled Market Leftovers & Foraged Flowers

Preparation:

Combine Ketel One Vodka Infused with Fig, Orange Wine, Clarified Grape Juice, Honey, Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom and Saline Solution into a shaker with ice.
Shake thoroughly and strain into glass
Top with Pink Lady Apple Kombucha and stir gently
Garnish with Upcycled Market Leftovers & Foraged Flowers

Urban Garden
Ingredients:

1.25 oz Johnnie Walker High Rye
0.25 oz Seedlip Garden 108
0.25 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
0.5 oz Green Tea
0.5 oz Lime Juice
0.5 oz Garden Scrap Cordial
4 dashes Saline Solution
2 dashes Pernod
Half of a Muddled Tomatillo
1 oz Egg White
Spray of Green Chartreuse
Garnish: Microherbs

Preparation:

Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
Strain over ice into a glass.
Spray Green Chartreuse over drink and garnish with Microherbs.

Tag Archive for: world class

Charles Joly Joins 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards Judging Panel

Charles Joly, World Class Global Bartending Winner and Official mixologist of the Emmy’s and Oscars Joins 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards Judging Panel.

Quick Sips with Charles Joly

Quick sips with Charles Joly, a globally-acclaimed mixologist and one of the judges of this year’s USBG Presents World Class Sponsored By Diageo US Finals.

The 2023 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year: Renato Tonelli

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