Charles Joly from The Aviary in Chicago has been named the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2014, beating 47 of the best mixologists from around the globe. Joly wowed the judges with his signature cocktail Above the Clouds, which he served up in the last round of the week long event. The Finals consisted of a series of challenges staged around Great Britain, starting in Gleneagles on Monday 28th July, before the grand finale in London. Iain McPherson from Panda & Sons had been Scotland’s representative, though he was edged out by James Fowler of The Larder House, Bournemouth, who won the right to represent the UK at the competition.
Speaking after his win, Joly said, “Wow, I just feel totally overawed by this. I know it sounds like a cliché but to be announced as the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2014 is like a dream – I half expect to wake up at any moment. The other finalists really are the best bartenders in the world today so for the judges to pick me as the winner is incredible.”