2023 World Class champ, Eduardo Conde Reveals Pro Tips for Dominating World Class 2024!

Feb 07, 2024

In partnership with Diageo Bar Academy

The Diageo Bar Academy Roadshow has been touring the country and those who attended and signed up to the Diageo Bar Academy newsletter got a 2-week head start on the competition by learning the entry round. 

 

If you missed it, then tune to our virtual announcement on February 12^th. But how should you use your time whilst you wait for the competition announcement? 🤔 

We spoke to last year's winner Eduardo Conde to get his advice. He broke his process down into 3 steps.

 

1. Beat the creative block early.

When the entry round challenge lands on February 12^th (or if you get a first look at it at your local Diageo Bar Academy Roadshow), there will be some people who are immediately inspired, and others (more thank you think!) that hit the dreaded creative block. The best way to prepare for the worst is to get yourself equipped with knowledge early. 

“The Diageo Bar Academy website has so many articles, masterclasses and videos on trends, techniques, cocktail history – kind of everything” says Eduardo, “I always look into what other people are doing, and if there’s a trend or flavour combination or technique that resonates with me, I’ll use that as a starting point.”

 

2. Know the brands.

“Ultimately World Class is a bartending competition grounded in Diageo’s Reserve Brands” says Eduardo, “Trying to learn everything about a brand in a week is a really hard ask of yourself, especially when you’re busy with work and life.”

“The secret (if there is one) is to be ahead of it! The Diageo Bar Academy Website has everything you need to know about the history, traditions, and innovations of the brands you’ll be using.”

“The key is to add your own touch – the judges know the history of the brands, but what they don’t know is how the brands make you feel, or how the brands have shaped or inspired you.’

 

3. Think sustainably.

“World Class can reap huge rewards for your career – you’ll make connections and expand your network, learn new techniques and approaches, and develop your personal brand. The question I always asked myself when I was doing World Class was: Am I having fun? Am I enjoying myself?”. Eduardo stresses the importance of thinking about how sustainable your effort is – ‘The earlier you start getting yourself prepared, the less stressed you’ll be. 

“Make sure you’re taking care of your body and mind – your own sustainability is key to doing well.”

If you’d like some more tips from past winners check out our Masterclass with Adrián Michalčík (2022 Winner) and Kaitlyn Stewart (2017 Winner)

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 The good news is that you’re already at step one! If you want to find out more, the best course of action is to get in touch with your local Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador. 

 

Kelsey Blacksmith (NSW/ACT) - @kelsey_ontherocks 

Tracy Gardner (VIS/TAS) - @tequilatracy 

David Brosnan (QLD/NT) - @davesonlydrinks 

Simone Sanna (WA/SA) - @thesbagliatoontour 

Kate McGraw (World Class Australia) - @katelikescocktails 

 

If you want to experience Eduardo and his teams' World Class hospitality you’ll find him behind the bar at El Primo Sanchez in Paddington, Sydney. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in town.

 

 If you missed last month's chat with World Class Ambassador Kate McGraw you can read that here.

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