World Class Canada comes to Vancouver

Watch ten of Canada’s best bartenders, including four from Vancouver, battle it out in four jaw-dropping challenges that will leave only one bartender standing. This isn’t just another bartending competition, this is World Class Canada!

Cooper Tardivel from Hawksworth, Gerald (Gez) McAlpine from the Keefer, and Grant Sceney and Mike Shum from the Fairmont Pacific Rim will all demonstrate how they beat out nearly 200 other bartenders to earn a coveted spot in the World Class Top Ten as they go head-to-head against the best to become Canada’s Bartender of the Year.

And for the first time ever in Vancouver, the King of Cocktails, Dale DeGroff will be in town as a judge along with two other cocktail legends, Steve Olson and Tony Abou-Ganim. Meet the man who inspired the world of mixology including the famed Cosmopolitan and find out why all of Vancouver’s bartenders revere these men as Gods!

Nerves will be at an all-time high as these bartenders make cocktails for their mentors who will be judging their every move. Expect smoke, music, lights, drama and more as the finalists participate in a challenge that stimulates all five senses, a theatrical challenge that celebrates the culture of France, a mystery market challenge and a speed round that can’t be missed.

These two days of competition will culminate in a black tie gala where Vancouver’s food and drink elite, politicians and celebrities will gather for the crowning of Canada’s Bartender of the Year, who will then go on to represent Canada against 42 other countries in the UK at the World Class Global Finale.

Monday, June 23rd, Victoria Island – Saturna Winery
9am Sensoria challenge (five senses)
1pm Theatre of France challenge
5pm Return to Vancouver

Tuesday, June 24th Reflections at Hotel Georgia
10:30am Market challenge
2:30pm Speed challenge
5:30pm Competition ends

10pm: Award ceremony gala at Vancouver Art Gallery