For the third year in a row, a bartender from Cask in Cork has come out on top at the World Class Irish Bartender of the Year Awards.
Linda O'Flynn from CASK was named World Class Irish Bartender of the Year 2019 by a panel of judges at the newly-opened Roe and Co Distillery in Dublin's Liberties. Her victory is the third in a row for CASK, as bartender Carl D’Alton was the 2018 winner, and Andy Ferreira won in 2017.
At the recent final, Linda competed alongside Jonathan Shaw from Bert’s Jazz Bar in Belfast and Andrew Ennis from The Little Pig in Dublin. All three finalists competed head-to-head in a series of complex challenges, where they had to demonstrate skill, passion, innovation, creativity and ambition, all in front of a live audience and judges.
This year's judging panel, which included 2018 World Class Ireland Winner Carl D’Alton of CASK; Scotch Whiskey Global Ambassador, Ervin Trykowski; Roe and Co, Brand Ambassador Alan Mulvihill; Roe and Co Head Distiller, Lora Hemy; and Diageo Global Gastronomer Mark Moriarty.
Linda O'Flynn.
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The World Class Competition is a highly respected program committed to celebrating and elevating the craft of bartending. It is global competition brings together the best bars, the most talented bartenders and the most exquisite spirits from around the world to determine who is the best of the best.
As Linda won the Irish competition, she will go on to represent Ireland in the World Class Global Final 2019, which will take place in Glasgow this September.
On being announced as the World Class Irish Bartender of the Year 2019, Linda spoke about her pride in the title.
“I am so overwhelmed! I have put so much work into this competition and I truly love what I do," she commented.
"I want to bring my genuine passion for bartending and Irish hospitality, as well as my interest in native ingredients, to the fore when I represent Ireland in Glasgow in September. It's really humbling to represent such a passionate and diverse industry and I can't wait for the next challenge!”
Keep up with Linda's journey here.
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