France’s Jennifer Le Nechet made history last week by becoming the first female bartender crowned global winner of Diageo’s annual World Class bartender competition.
Le Nechet emerged victorious after a four-day competition in South Beach, Miami, where she topped 56 other bartenders who had advanced to the global finals by winning World Class championships in their home countries.
Le Nechet hails from Café Moderne in Paris.
In the last round of the 2016 World Class competition, the final six remaining contestants were tasked with creating their own pop-up bar in just 24 hours. Le Nechet took first place in that category with her Steampunk themed pop-up bar (pictured with her atop), which helped her achieve her overall victory.
For her win, Le Nechet becomes Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, and will travel the world judging competitions and making bespoke drinks. She also becomes the eighth member of the World Class Hall of Fame.
This year marked the eighth year of Diageo’s World Class competition, with nearly 10,000 bartenders entering worldwide. Each challenge in the Miami final turned the spotlight on a different bartender skill: technique, personality, spirits knowledge and how well they perform under pressure in a speed round.
Next year, Mexico City will host the final.
