Shekhar Grover named Diageo Global Travel Best Cruise Line Bartender
Shekhar Grover named Diageo Global Travel Best Cruise Line Bartender
Published: 14/06/14
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Colleen Morgan, Special Correspondent
Shekhar Grover of Royal Caribbean International has been named Diageo Global Travel Best Cruise Line Bartender at the Diageo Reserve World Class final held in Miami, Florida.
According to the competition organisers, Shekhar impressed the panel of judges – Mario Seijo, World Class Global Winner for Latin America Caribbean 2013; Enrique De Colsa, Master Distiller at Don Julio tequila; and Arturo Savage, one of Diageo’s Senior Reserve Ambassadors – with his “incredible showmanship, inventive cocktail making and unrivalled flair”.
Shekhar competed against more than 5,500 bartenders from four of the world’s leading cruise lines (Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises) in the biggest year in global travel yet for Diageo Reserve World Class. He and other competitors were tested on different aspects of their craft, creativity and bartending knowledge. According to Diageo, Shekhar excelled in the bar arena and enthralled judges with his signature serve inspired by this year’s Mediterranean theme – ‘French Royale’ featuring Cîroc vodka.
The 27 year-old mixologist master from India will take part in the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year global final in London from 28 July until 1 August 2014, where he will compete against 50 of the world’s best bartenders.
Shekhar, who is one of the Lead Bartenders on the Oasis of Seas, said: “I’m thrilled to win the World Class Global Travel Final and I’m very excited to be going forward to represent cruise line bartenders at one of the industry’s most prestigious and respected mixology competitions. I’ve been inspired and challenged by many talented bartenders over the last few weeks and I’m really looking forward to using the skills and knowledge that I’ve developed through the programme to wow the judges.”
Royal Caribbean International Vice President Food Beverage Brian Abel commented: “We are very proud to have Shekhar as a member of the Royal Caribbean team. He is a very talented and dedicated barman who embodies Royal Caribbean’s spirit of innovation and our world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. We wish Shekhar the very best of luck in July.
“We also would like to thank World Class for training our bartenders in the art and science of creating unique, moment-defining drinks, using award-winning spirits from the Diageo Reserve collection. Our partnership ensures that we provide our guests with amazing on-board fine drinking experiences.”
Diageo Reserve World Class, which includes a global training programme, aims to discover and showcase the best talent from top international bartenders. Launched in 2009, more than 15,000 bartenders have been inspired and educated in the craft of mixology using spirits from the Diageo Reserve Collection. Past winners have, according to the competition organisers, become recognised industry leaders and have participated in high profile events.
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