Whom You Know: #ChampagneWishes @Diageo_NA #worldclassus #worldclass2022 #roadtosydney JESSI POLLAK NAMED 2022 U.S. BARTENDER OF THE YEAR IN THE USBG PRESENTS WORLD CLASS SPONSORED BY DIAGEO NATIONAL FINALS

Monday, July 18, 2022

#ChampagneWishes @Diageo_NA #worldclassus #worldclass2022 #roadtosydney JESSI POLLAK NAMED 2022 U.S. BARTENDER OF THE YEAR IN THE USBG PRESENTS WORLD CLASS SPONSORED BY DIAGEO NATIONAL FINALS

The country's top 15 bartenders faced off in Nashville, TN in search of one winner who will represent the U.S. at the World Class Global Finals in Sydney, Australia

After two exhilarating days with 15 of the top U.S. bartenders competing in four individual challenges, USBG and Diageo have announced Jessi Pollak as the 2022 U.S. Bartender of the Year. Hosted for the first time in Nashville, TN, the prestigious competition brought together the best bartenders across the country to elevate the art of cocktail creation, and Jessi awed judges with her expansive knowledge, engaging presentation, and innovative craftsmanship to ultimately represent the U.S. at the World Class Global Finals held in Sydney, Australia this fall.

The country’s top 15 bartenders faced off in Nashville, TN in search of one winner who will represent the U.S. at the World Class Global Finals in Sydney, Australia

Jessi Pollak Named 2022 U.S. Bartender of the Year in the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo National Finals (Photo Credit: Shannon Sturgis)

"As a first-time competitor in the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo, I am completely stunned to be named this year's U.S. Bartender of the Year," says Jessi Pollak. "There were so many people who inspired me and guided me along the way that helped make it such a rewarding and unforgettable experience. I am truly honored to be able to continue my journey and represent the U.S. at the Global Finals in Sydney!"

The tenth year of the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo competition saw thousands of applicants from across the country for a series of rigorous regional competitions to narrow down the Top 15 bartenders in the U.S. who advanced to the national competition in Nashville, TN from June 20-21. There, the competitors demonstrated their knowledge, skill, and creativity in four ambitious bartending challenges to determine the U.S. Bartender of the Year.

Day one of challenges kicked off with Spirit of Don Julio where competitors developed unique serves paying homage to the brand and its founder, followed by Taste the City where finalists created a signature cocktail pairing with an iconic Nashville dish. The second day pushed the mixologists in a Home Brew challenge where they created two cocktail styles using Ketel One Family Made Vodka, inspired by a unique type of brew, in addition to The Showdown where competitors raced against the clock to create eight different cocktails in eight minutes.

"It's incredible that we're now in our tenth season of the USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo program," shares USBG Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith. "The resounding excitement from the bartending community to participate in this acclaimed competition demonstrates that the skill and desire to grow in this industry remains strong, and we are extremely proud to contribute to the transformative opportunity this program provides for bartenders."

Cassandra Ericson, Manager of On Premise Channel Marketing at Diageo North America adds, "Each and every year of this renowned program, we have the privilege of witnessing an unparalleled level of passion and skill that is truly inspiring. World Class has been an incredible journey since I was a bartender competing in the program myself in 2017, and it's incredible to see how it has evolved into a community that elevates the craft and puts Diageo's Reserve Portfolio at the forefront of cocktail culture."

Wondering what it takes to be crowned the U.S. Bartender of the Year? Applications will be open July-December for the 2023 USBG Presents World Class Sponsored by Diageo. Follow @WorldClassUS on Instagram to learn more and see if you can shake and stir your way to the top. In the meantime, see below for some of Jessi Pollak's recipes created during the National Finals that helped her win.

The FFFFlip

Created by 2022 U.S. Bartender of the Year Jessi Pollak

Ingredients:1.25 oz Ketel One Family-Made Vodka

.5 oz Amontillado Sherry

1 Whole Egg

1 oz Apple Spiced Cordial

2 oz Apple Cider

Garnish: Apple Flavored Sprinkles

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Once emulsified, add ice to cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly. Strain into a teacup and garnish with apple flavored sprinkles.

Jungle Bird

Created by 2022 U.S. Bartender of the Year Jessi Pollak

Ingredients:1.25 oz Tequila Don Julio Reposado

.5 oz Italian Bitter Aperitif

.75 oz Pineapple Juice

.75 oz Lime Juice

.5 oz Bell Pepper Infused Simple Syrup

Garnish: Pineapple Fronds

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake thoroughly. Strain over ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with pineapple fronds.

Cocktails created for the duration of this year's competition can be found on Instagram using the handle @WorldClassUS. When showcasing your own mixology or sampling award-winning recipes from this year's competitors, USBG and Diageo remind you to do so responsibly.

For additional information about the program and for details on the upcoming global competition, follow hashtags #worldclassus, #worldclass2022 and #roadtosydney on Twitter and Instagram, and check us out online at https://worldclass.usbg.org and https://www.usbg.org/.

About USBG

Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders' Guild® (USBG) is a nationwide nonprofit association of bartenders and other hospitality professionals that unites and elevates the bar industry through education, community, and advocacy. The USBG believes that bartending is a respected and fun occupation in a healthy environment that builds a hub for community. Through our network of over 40 communities nationwide, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer mentorship, expert instruction, community service projects, and skills-based competition.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.

For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/