Tim Philips, Diageo World Class 2012 Global Champion, discusses being a judge at the 2016 bartending competition, and the World Class UAE winner Laura Duca, from Boca in Dubai.
How important is Diageo World Class to bartending as a profession?
Competitions like World Class allow bartenders to experiment and push boundaries outside the scope of night-to-night operations.
How did you find being a judge?
Judging bartending peers is always tough as you know exactly what they are thinking. I was lucky because the standard of bartending in the UAE was of such a calibre it made my job easier.
What was it about Laura Duca that stood out and impressed the judges?
Attention to detail, bold experimentation, personality and a smile.
What has stayed with you from your experience of winning in 2012?
To look for inspiration through everything we see in life. Also, I learned that the difference between winning and not is generally tiny, so to continue to worry about the small details.
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What do you think are the key ingredients to making a bar successful?
Listening to your customers and always being honest with your business partners.
What was your biggest inspiration in setting up your venue, Bulletin Place?
Australian bio-diversity; the fact we have such amazing produce on our doorstep.
What exciting things are you working on?
I co-own and run two venues, work with local spirit companies and am always trying to get the best out of our staff.
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