Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) and World Class Sponsored by Diageo have announced the Top 15 U.S. Finalists for the 2026 World Class competition, spotlighting a cohort of bartenders that reflects the evolution of American cocktail culture — and expanding the program with a new scholarship benefit.
Selected from an initial pool of 100 bartenders nationwide, the 15 finalists will advance to the 2026 World Class U.S. National Finals, taking place in Chicago, May 11–13, 2026. For the first time in the competition’s U.S. history, each finalist will also receive a Tales Scholarship to attend Tales of the Cocktail 2026 in New Orleans this July, signaling a deeper alignment between competition, education, and long-term career development.
To determine the Top 15, judges recreated the original cocktails submitted in the entry round and evaluated them on creativity, technique, flavor, and overall execution. The process emphasized consistency and breadth of skill, with finalists chosen for demonstrating both technical excellence and forward-thinking drinks development.
The 2026 World Class U.S. National Finals in Chicago will bring the 15 bartenders together for an in-person, multi-challenge format designed to test craft, storytelling, hospitality, and performance under pressure. After a series of challenges, a Top 5 will be named, with additional rounds determining the 2026 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year. That winner will move on to the Diageo World Class Global Finals in fall 2026, competing against national champions from more than 50 countries for the title of World Class Global Champion.
This year’s program underlines the growing impact of the partnership between TOTCF and Diageo, which links the foundation’s education platform with the global reach of World Class. The collaboration is explicitly focused on advancing bartender education, career mobility, and community building across the on-premise sector.
“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.”
“World Class is designed to celebrate and champion the craft, creativity, and dedication that define the bartending community,” added Erin Creighton, Director of Marketing for On-Premise at Diageo. “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.”
2026 World Class U.S. Top 15 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
As part of their recognition, each finalist joins the 2026 Tales Scholars cohort, receiving a full scholarship to attend Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, July 19–24, 2026. Scholars gain access to seminars, workshops, and tastings led by global category experts, along with networking opportunities that can shape long-term careers behind the bar and beyond.
Program details and updates are available at www.worldclassus.com, and on social media at @WorldClassUS (Instagram) and @WorldClassUnitedStates (Facebook).