WHISTLER, B.C. — Jeff Savage has been named the winner of Diageo’s World Class Canada National Finals, which took place in Whistler, B.C. from June 2 to 4.
Originally from Calgary, Savage is currently the head bartender at Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Botanist Bar in Vancouver.
Savage was among 10 bartenders shortlisted for the national finals following a series of regional challenges. All candidates were judged on their bartending and hosting techniques by previous World Class Canada winners, including Chris Enns, Kaitlyn Stewart, Shane Mulvany, Lauren Mote and Grant Sceney.
As the winner of the Canadian finals, Savage will represent Canada at the World Class Global Finals, which begin in Amsterdam on September 21 before moving on to Scotland’s Isle of Skye and finally Glasgow for the final events, culminating in the announcement of the World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2019 on September 26.
“Winning World Class Canada Bartender of the Year is such an incredible honour and surreal experience I’ll never forget,” says Savage. “Competing at World Class has allowed me to engage with some of the most talented bartenders in Canada and I’m incredibly humbled to represent our country at the Global Finals in the Netherlands and Scotland.”
