Dream big, stay curious, and build a strong personal brand.
In the lead-up to the 2026 World Class Bartender of the Year competition, Diageo Bar Academy brought a lineup of global industry leaders to Australia, educating and inspiring more than 450 bartenders across five cities.
In partnership with World Class, the Diageo Bar Academy and World Class Roadshow gave bartenders the opportunity to learn directly from some of the industry’s most respected voices. The program combined seminars, panel discussions, and hands-on sessions designed to sharpen skills, build connections, and provide a first look at the 2026 World Class entry-round challenge.
Supporting bartenders at every stage of their careers, Diageo Bar Academy continues to invest in developing talent across the hospitality industry.
2025 Australian World Class Bartender of the Year James Irvine, and Diageo’s Head of Advocacy, Kate McGraw, took the tour to Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Brisbane, featuring an impressive lineup including global hospitality trailblazer Julie Reiner (Sydney, Perth, Adelaide), renowned mentor and educator Tiffanie Barriere (Melbourne and Brisbane).
The introduction of international speakers for the first time contributed to one of the most highly attended Diageo Bar Academy Roadshows to date.
Julie Reiner shared reflections on the career decisions that shaped her success, as well as her approach to building the “neighbourhood bar.” She emphasised that long-term success in hospitality is built on strong teams and inclusive workplaces.
“You can’t build a 20-year institution with a revolving door of staff,” she said. “When the staff feel at home, the guests do too.”
Tiffanie Barriere explored the role of passion, purpose, and personal brand in a competitive industry.
“You won’t feel passionate every single day, and that’s okay,” she told attendees. “What matters is protecting your purpose.”
While the international guests focused on themes of leadership and longevity, local experts James Irvine and Kate McGraw delivered practical insights from behind the bar.
Irvine shared learnings from his World Class journey, including his approach to clarification, carbonation, and batching in high-level competition environments. James’ message was clear that his creativity is grounded in diligent processes. Test everything, optimise the process where possible and always ensure that you serve the purpose of the drink.
Kate challenged attendees to think critically about technique, posing a simple question: “What drink are you actually trying to make?”
Through hands-on sessions, bartenders explored how ingredient processing can influence flavour and texture — from preparing osmotic apple syrup through hand-mashing techniques to creating syrups using clarified juice cold-combine methods.
The key takeaway was clear: technique should always serve the final drink.
A fixture on the industry calendar, the Diageo Bar Academy Roadshow continues to provide bartenders with the skills, insights, and connections needed to progress their careers, while fostering a strong national community.
With the 2026 World Class competition now underway, the national winner will be announced at the finals in Melbourne on June 29.
If you’re interested in attending next year’s Roadshow or finding out more about Diageo Bar Academy, please reach out to your local Diageo Brand Ambassador.
