Fifteen of the most talented U.S. bartenders advance to World Class U.S. Finals in Chicago this May and earn a Tales of the Cocktail® 2026 Tales Scholars scholarship
NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 18, 2026) — Today, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO announces the Top 15 U.S. Finalists in the 2026 competition. These fifteen exceptional bartenders — selected from a highly competitive national pool — will advance to the World Class 2026 U.S. National Finals in Chicago, Illinois from May 11-13, 2026. For the first time, the Top 15 Finalists will each receive a Tales Scholarship to attend Tales of the Cocktail® 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana this July, a notable addition to the acclaimed World Class program.
To determine this year’s Top 15 U.S. Finalists, judges recreated and evaluated the original cocktail recipes submitted by the Top 100 competitors as part of their initial World Class application. Each recipe was assessed on creativity, technique, flavor, and overall execution, with scores used to identify the fifteen bartenders who demonstrated the highest level of skill and innovation across the full breadth of their submission. The result is a class of finalists who represent some of the most inventive, dedicated, and accomplished bartenders working in the United States today.
The Top 15 Finalists will compete in one final U.S. stage, where one bartender will be crowned the 2026 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year and go on to represent the U.S. at the Global Finals against peers from more than 50 countries:
- National Finals Competition — Chicago, IL | May 11-13, 2026: The Top 15 will go head-to-head in an in-person National Finals Competition in Chicago. Through a series of rigorous, hands-on challenges designed to test craft, creativity, and performance under pressure, a Top 5 will be named to advance to the final round. The Top 5 Finalists will then compete in additional in-person challenges to determine who will be crowned the 2026 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year.
- World Class Global Finals — Fall 2026: The 2026 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year will go on to represent the United States at the DIAGEO World Class Global Finals this fall, competing against national champions from more than 50 countries for the title of World Class Global Champion 2026.
This year’s announcement reflects the growing impact of the partnership between Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and DIAGEO, which united two of the industry’s most powerful platforms in support of bartender education, professional advancement, and community. Rooted in a shared commitment to elevating the global cocktail community, the collaboration brings together TOTCF’s world-leading education platform and the global reach of the World Class collective to create meaningful, lasting opportunities for bartenders at every stage of their careers.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome this year’s Top 15 World Class U.S. Finalists into the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation family as Tales Scholars,” said Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Bringing them to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail 2026 is not only a celebration of their achievement; it is an investment in the future of our industry. We believe in the power of education and community to transform careers, and we could not be more excited to share that experience with these extraordinary talents.”
“World Class is designed to celebrate and champion the craft, creativity, and dedication that define the bartending community,” said Erin Creighton, Director of Marketing for On-Premise at DIAGEO. “The talent represented in this year’s Top 15 finalists reflects the incredible evolution of cocktail culture in the U.S. Through our continued partnership with Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, we are proud to help create opportunities that elevate bartenders’ careers, strengthen the hospitality community, and inspire the next generation of this industry.”
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO — Top 15 U.S. Finalists:
- Alexis Ortega – PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Becky Rose – AURORA, CO
- Bridget Ramsey – EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
- Colin Williams – NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Elliott Reibert – CHICAGO, IL
- Gonzalo Ramos – NEW YORK, NY
- Jason Briseno – LOS ANGELES, CA
- Jeff Banks – DECATUR, GA
- Kai Lucas – BROOKLYN, NY
- Kyler Nolan – BROOKLYN, NY
- Makenzie Helem – SEATTLE, WA
- Michelle Freed – LOS ANGELES, CA
- Peter Hannah – KISSIMMEE, FL
- Sierra Knight – CINCINNATI, OH
- Taylor Jamison-Parrish – CHICAGO, IL
In recognition of their achievement, each of the Top 15 U.S. Finalists will also join the 2026 cohort of Tales Scholars, one of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s most beloved initiatives, providing full scholarships to bartenders and hospitality professionals who demonstrate a passion for education and a commitment to advancing the industry. As Tales Scholars, the Top 15 will attend Tales of the Cocktail® 2026 in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026, gaining access to seminars, workshops, and tasting events led by the world’s foremost spirits and cocktail educators, as well as the opportunity to connect with a global network of industry peers and mentors as they continue their journey through the World Class competition. To learn more about the Tales Scholars program, visit talesofthecocktail.org.
Full details and program updates are available at www.worldclassus.com
You can also stay up to date by following @WorldClassUS on Instagram or @WorldClassUnitedStates on Facebook.
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About Tales Of The Cocktail Foundation
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).
For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us atwww.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
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