The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) New Haven chapter hosted an educational event for hopeful candidates of the USBG World Class bartending competition, sponsored by Diageo, at Highland Brass Co. in Waterbury on December 17. Anthony DeSerio, Account Consultant, Diageo Reserve, led the training, which included tips on creating prizewinning cocktails and preparation for the competition exam. Participants tasted several cocktails prepared by DeSerio that demonstrated variations in flavor notes and other attributes using selections from within the Diageo Reserve spirits portfolio. USBG World Class, sponsored by Diageo, is part of an internationally recognized competition that “elevates the craft of the bartender and builds careers,” culminating in an annual landmark week of competition where the Global Bartender of the Year is selected from finalists.
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- Featured Diageo Reserve spirits during the World Class Lab included Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, Zacapa 23 Solera Rum, Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whiskey, Bulleit Bourbon and Ketel One Vodka.
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- Dimitrios Zahariadis, Co-owner of Highland Brass Co. and USBG New Haven Chapter President and Anthony DeSerio, Account Consultant, Diageo Reserve with spirits featured during the education session: Zacapa 23 Solera Rum and Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whiskey.
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- Anthony DeSerio, Account Consultant, Diageo Reserve led the World Class training.
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- Tastes of a Paper Plane cocktail featuring Bulleit Bourbon.
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- Dimitrios Zahariadis, Co-owner of Highland Brass Co. and USBG New Haven Chapter President pouring samples of an Old Fashioned soaked in sushi rice.
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- Jerome Daigneult, Marlborough Tavern; Sebastian Guerrero, Todd English’s Tuscany; Dan Shekman, Oak Haven Table & Bar; Anthony DeSerio, Account Consultant, Diageo Reserve; Alexa Doyer, Little River Restoratives; MeKayla Roy, Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen; Stephanie Anderson, The Beamhouse; Corey Bonderenko, Highland Brass Co.; Dylan Jefferis; and Dimitrios Zahariadis, Highland Brass Co. Front row: Conrad Meurice, Bear’s Restaurant Group and Clarissa LoNero, Little River Restoratives.
