Diageo Reserve World Class Names Poch Ancheta, Bar Manager of Skye, as Philippine Bartender of the Year

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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine leg of the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year Competition had recently been concluded virtually, awarding Poch Ancheta, Bar Manager of Skye, as the Philippine Champion for 2021. Poch will be moving on to represent the country in the Global Finals to be held virtually in London this July against 50 other countries.

Now on its 8th year in the country, World Class Philippines is committed to supporting the industry as it elevates the Philippine cocktail culture and scene. It is the biggest and most prestigious bartending competition in the world, where hopeful bartenders go head-to-head at a local level for the chance and the privilege to represent the country in the Global Finals. The Global Finalists will then compete for the title of Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year. 

Poch Ancheta, Photo courtesy of Diageo

After having had to cancel last year’s competition because lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, World Class is coming back strong. The final stretch of the Competition will be held virtually this year, albeit still as exciting and jam-packed as in the previous runs. Perhaps the most unique component in this year’s competition is the presence of Avatar Bartenders, who are skilled bartenders tasked to prepare and present the World Class finalists’ cocktails all in one space for judging. 

About the Diageo Reserve World Class Philippine Bartender of the Year 2021

Poch Ancheta’s success has come in his 5th year of joining the Competition, where he contended with his co-bartenders in various challenges. After completing a series of qualifying heats featuring Diageo Reserve spirits such as Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray No. TEN, The Singleton, and Ketel One, the Skye Bar Manager emerged victorious as the Philippine Champion, besting 30 other hopefuls.

Initially intrigued by the world of bartending because of the movie Heyward Gould’s Cocktails starring Tom Cruise, Poch Ancheta vividly recalls feeling inspired by the practice, but never thinking it would be his passion and profession. This all changed when he met Jericson Co, Owner of The Curator Coffee & Cocktails, who later on became his mentor and paved the way for Poch to develop his bartending and leadership skills. 

Poch Ancheta, Photo courtesy of Diageo

Truly, Filipino bartenders are a strong breed of resilience, talent, and passion, and such was seen in Poch throughout this year’s competition and even well before that. Poch Ancheta, prior to his big win this year, had vied for the title 5 times before securing it. He speaks fondly of this journey and revels in his similarity with fellow World Class Bartender Lester Ligon, who tried three times before winning the title in 2018, and impressively went on to place 6th globally and to win the Ketel One Better Drinking Challenge – a major feature in the Competition. 

For World Class Philippines 2021, the competition locally ensued digitally last March in compliance with local government safety guidelines, up until the end of April. Thirty one (31) participants were grouped into 2 teams, each closely mentored by two (2) of the most recent World Class Philippines champions: OTO’s David Abalayan (2019) and The Spirits Library’s Lester Ligon (2018) Poch Ancheta was part of Team Lester.  

It was an eventful two (2) months consisting of five (5) multi-platform challenges divided into three (3) major rounds. It was a whole new digital World Class competition experience wherein participants were tasked to present their drinks either via a social media post or through a virtual presentation which were then judged by previous World Class Bartenders of the Year for the Philippines AK Roxas (2013), Yoma Rivera (2014), Kenneth Bandivas (2015), Michael Tubiera (2016), and Royce Pua (2017).

World Class challenges are no easy feats. Going beyond creating innovative drinks, each bartender must also be able to establish strong rapport – fully incorporating the aspect of hospitality, storytelling, and creating a connection with the guests or audience through the drink prepared. Remarkably, Poch Ancheta was a constant podium finisher in his team; and by the final round, only the top 6 remained. Alongside Poch vying for the coveted title were Kevin Corrales of South Bank Café + Lounge, Ralph Santos of The Spirits Library, Shinichi Itoh of OTO, Duane Legaspi of BCN, and Jhon Parraba.

At the end of it all, it was Poch that garnered the highest cumulative score making him the Philippines’ Best Bartender of the Year 2021. As he sets his eyes on the Global title, Poch takes with him his fierce belief in the potential of the Filipino bartending industry. 

“The goal is to make a mark; to be the steppingstone for the next generation of bartenders to achieve greater heights; and to push the boundaries for Filipino bartending,” shares Poch. “I want to establish the Filipino Brand of Bartending, which goes beyond just innovative drinks and well-executed cocktail presentations. The Filipino Brand of Bartending is uniquely ours because it is powered by the innate hospitality and desire to serve that our nation is known for.” 

The Global leg of World Class is well on its way and Poch recently submitted Project K.O.R.N. (Ketel One Resourceful Neighborhood), his entry to the Ketel One Hive Collective Challenge, where the bartenders are tasked to make a sustainable difference in the community through their drinks. Each finalist will have a page at Difford’s guide page to showcase their Ketel One project. 
Follow Poch Ancheta’s journey in building the Filipino Brand of Bartending.

Check out Project K.O.R.N. at https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1088/hive-collective/project-korn. To get the latest updates on the competition, follow Diageo Reserve World Class Philippines on Instagram at @worldclassphilippines.