NEW YORK, USA – The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Presents World Class Sponsored By DIAGEO crowned Jonathan Stanyard of Seattle, Washington as the 2024 U.S. Bartender of the Year in its twelfth season. Hosted in Denver, CO, Jonathan Stanyard was named champion following three days and five bartending challenges and craft cocktail showmanship.
The renowned competition brought together the country’s Top 30 Competitors from the USBG’s West, Central and East regions to put their skills, senses, and agility to the test.
Jonathan Stanyard ultimately took home the crown as he impressed judges with his cocktail creativity while demonstrating his passion and knowledge about the craft of bartending. Following Jonathan Stanyard’s breakout bartending performance, he will now represent the U.S. at the Global Finals in Shanghai, China this September.
Jonathan Stanyard has over 22 years of experience perfecting the art of hospitality and bartending craft. Over the years, he has grasped how to maximize the potential of raw ingredients in creating exceptionally delicious cocktails that are built into menus across the country.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be named the 2024 US Bartender of the Year as this has been a mountain I’ve been climbing since I first embarked on my World Class journey five years ago,” says Jonathan Stanyard. “I’ve gained so much invaluable knowledge, skills and camaraderie from this program and I hope to inspire others to achieve their dreams – whether it’s at World Class, in their bars or any hospitality program they are developing. I’m thrilled to be representing our country at the Global Finals in Shanghai and am thankful for the outstanding support of this community behind me.”
The U.S. Finals took place over two days at a combined event where the country’s Top 30 bartenders competed in three challenges testing their ability to create elevated cocktail experiences and to execute craft cocktails with speed and agility. From there, the Top 10 Finalists were selected and faced off in the Johnnie Walker and DIAGEO Reserve Brands challenges as the two final showdown events of the competition. Jonathan Stanyard ultimately came out on top and was crowned champion after creating the Apples For Whales and Such Great Heights cocktails that impressed the judges.
“We are so proud of all the competitors who competed in this year’s U.S. Finals and look forward to growing and evolving the World Class US program as we close out the twelfth season and enter into the next,” said USBG Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith. “Seeing the positive impact this program has made in our hospitality community has been truly rewarding as we aim for every bartender to succeed at their craft.”
Cassandra Ericson, Manager of On Premise Channel Marketing at DIAGEO North America shared, “I am thrilled to witness the diverse talent and innovation displayed at this year’s World Class US competition. Our commitment to nurturing bartending excellence is reflected in the spectacular display cocktails and skills showcased. We believe in empowering bartenders with the resources and education they need to grow personally and professionally, and DiageoBarAcademy.com stands as a testament to this dedication. The success of our finalists and the growth of the program are a source of great pride for me, and I look forward to the continued evolution of World Class as a beacon of the future of cocktail culture.”
