(October 18, 2023) After an intense, two-day competition, with 12 top bartenders around the world mixing and stirring their way to the top prize, it was a big moment for the Indian bartending community when Aashie Bhatnagar was named the winner of the prestigious People’s Choice Award in World Class. One of the world’s premier bartending competitions, World Class 2023 took place in Sao Paulo in September this year, where Aashie represented India. On Day 1 of the competition, Aashie emerged as the crowd favourite from among an elite group of 50 bartenders, earning her spot in the top 12, as the only female finalist, before going on to win the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Aashie Bhatnagar
Aashie expressed her gratitude to the Indian bartending community for their support through her journey, beginning from the moment she won the Indian finals, all the way to representing the country at Sao Paulo, Brazil. “I have been overwhelmed with messages and shoutouts, offers for help and so on. Knowing they were watching from back home, and that I could make them proud, was a driving force for me. I am very grateful for the love I received and I am really very happy I could do this for you all.”
Getting inspired
It was coming across images of Jeet Rana, who had represented India at Miami in a previous World Class edition, that had ignited the fire in Aashie to fetch a laurel like him.
“It ignited a dream within me—a dream that would shape my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined,” shared the bartender who spent countless hours honing her craft at her work station, fixing errors, and pushing herself to become better in her craft. In all this endeavour she garnered immense support of team members of Cobbler & Crew – her workplace in Pune, and Mayur Marne, her colleague who has been her consistent and greatest supporter.
Aashie Bhatnagar with Mayur Marne
Fruit of persistence
Winning World Class India had been Aashie’s dream for four years. She fought hard and hustled right from the first day she stepped behind the bars to achieve this dream of hers.
Her journey with World Class started in 2021, when she competed with several talented bartenders from across India to represent the country on the global platform. Although she made it to the finals of the India competition, she eventually returned home with a dream still unfulfilled. Determined not to let this setback mark the end of her aspirations, she carried on training to win her fraternity’s most coveted trophy.
This year, after competing in several rounds of challenges that tested her mixology skills, creativity, and knowledge, she was able to emerge India’s representative to World Class, winning the title of World Class India Bartender of the Year 2023. She took a significant stride forward by bagging the People’s Choice award at the global platform, proving that persistence pays.
While announcing Aashie’s achievements, her employer Cobbler & Crew shared on social media, “When Aashie joined our team, unlike other bartenders, her life goal wasn’t to open her own bar – She wanted to represent India at World Class and last night her dream became a reality.”
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The 2023 World Class Global Bartender of the Year title was claimed by Jacob Martin from Canada.
Journey of representing India
Being chosen as India’s representative in the global competition was no small accomplishment. Following months of preparation, Aashie and 14 other bartenders endured a weekend of stiff competition.
The event was judged by a panel from around the world, including Manu Chandra, Ashish Kapur, Jenna Ba, Millie Tang and Yangdup Lama, with Aashie emerging as the World Class India Bartender of the Year 2023. “As I stand behind the bar, shaker in hand, I find myself in a world of flavours and stories. Each cocktail I craft is an expression of my soul, a piece of art meant to be savoured and enjoyed,” said the ace bartender, who is one of the stars at Pune’s Cobbler & Crew.
From Uttarakhand to the craft of mixology
Cobbler & Crew holds a special place in Aashie’s heart, as she cherishes her role as an innovation artist – the title of the position highlights the vital significance her workplace adds to the bartender’s craft.
Aashie Bhatnagar
Aashie’s career began as a guest service associate at the Oberoi Gurgaon’s bar. After that, she served as a bartender at the Kimon Club and The Ritz-Carlton in Pune. The Dehradun-girl graduated from the Kukreja Institute of Hotel Management Dehradun, and the Bar Academy of Doon.
2023 has been a year of awards for her as she also won the ‘Mixologist of the Year’ title at Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2023.
