Six of the world’s best bartenders showed off their skills Thursday night at the World Class 2016 global bartending competition in Miami. Fifty-six competitors started out the week. On Tuesday, the field was narrowed to a dozen. By Wednesday, only six remained: Jonas Brandenborg Andersen (Denmark), Dries Botty (Belgium), Ryu Fuji (Japan), Adrian Michalcik (Czech Republic), Jennifer Le Nechet (France), and Nick Wu (Taiwan). The finalists then had 24 hours to complete the final challenge: create a pop-up bar experience that reflected each bartender’s unique style and sensibility. Competition was tight, but at the end of the night, Le Nechet, from France, emerged as the champion — the first woman to do so in the conception’s eight-year history.
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Belgium's Dries Boty with his team.
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The Czech Republic's Adrian Michalcik pours his signature serve for the night: a combination of Ketel One Citroen, Grand Marnier, apricot sorbet, red vermouth, and fresh citrus.
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Denmark's Jonas Brandenborg Andersen makes a round of cocktails for guests at his pop-up bar.
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France's Jennifer Le Nechet lines up mixing tins for another round of cocktails.
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Taiwan's Nick Wu shows off his cocktail menu for the evening.
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Japan's Ryu Fuji pours a round of his fresh pineapple and vodka cocktail.
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Jennifer Le Nechet, World Class 2016 champion.
Jim Sabataso