CHEVY CHASE, Md., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Channel
to premiere "World's Best Bartender" today, Monday, November 19 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by Travel
Channel's Don Wildman, this one-hour
special showcases the top bartenders from all corners of the globe
facing off in multiple rounds of competition. From Italy to
Australia, and Lebanon to the
United States, these 39 contenders have proved they're the
best on their own turf. Now, they need to test their talent,
training and genius in a spectacular series of bartending
challenges. Each bartender competes in three rounds of
elimination, leading to a single winner who will earn the title
"World's Best Bartender." The competition takes place in
beautiful Rio de Janeiro, where
each contestant competes and pushes the boundaries of creativity,
innovation and showmanship.
Similar to a celebrity-cooking competition, judges and "gurus"
watch, score and taste each of the competing cocktails. In
the first round, the bartenders must craft two distinct
cocktails. The first drink will be made at the "retro bar,"
where each bartender will make an old-school cocktail such as a
Martini, Manhattan or Bloody
Mary. The second beverage in round one will be made at
the "Hollywood bar," where each
bartender will invent a cocktail based on a movie. At the end
of the first round, more than half of the contenders are sent
home. In the second round, at the "Rio street market bar,"
the remaining 16 bartenders must create a cocktail based on the
local and exotic fruits of Rio de
Janeiro. And in the final round, the 10 finalists have
eight minutes to make as many stunning cocktails as they can,
followed by the final challenge of making their signature
drink.
"Exploring local food and drinks is a huge part of travel.
They are the heart and soul of a location and key factors in
experiencing its culture," said Andy
Singer, General Manager, Travel Channel. "'World's
Best Bartender' provides an exclusive pass to the world's biggest
and most-intense bartending competition. Viewers will get
front-row access to the nail-biting competition – both on stage and
behind the scenes."
"World's Best Bartender" is produced by Shine Limited for Travel
Channel. For Shine, the executive producer is Cy Chadwick. For Travel Channel, the
executive producer is Bill
Howard.
TRAVEL CHANNEL (http/:www.travelchannel.com) is a
multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of
providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers
beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar,
whether it's around the world or around the block. A dual feed
network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world's
leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million
U.S. cable homes. Owned and operated by Scripps Networks
Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY. Scripps Networks
Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network,
Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.
Diageo World Class is the largest international cocktail
education program that champions the art of the crafted
cocktail. This captivating experience celebrates bartenders
and mixologists in 50 countries across the globe through knowledge,
skill and appreciation of the industry. One bartender or
mixologist from each country competes to win the prestigious honor
of being named World's Best Bartender by Diageo and international
cocktail gurus. Diageo World Class features spirits from the
Diageo Reserve portfolio including Ketel One® Vodka,
Ciroc® Vodka, Tanqueray® No. TEN Gin,
Zacapa® Rum, Bulleit® Bourbon, Johnnie Walker® Blended Scotch Whisky
and Tequila Don
Julio®. Diageo asks that everyone celebrate
their craft responsibly.
SOURCE Travel Channel