Matias Grosso

[Princess Cruises, Valencia] – Matias Grosso, Star Princess bartender, will be competing for the prestigious title of Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year at the competition finals in Rio de Janeiro next month. Grosso is one of four Princess Cruises bartenders who contended in the event’s semifinals last week in Miami, and one of more than 10,000 bartenders worldwide who have been battling throughout the competition.

Grosso earned a place in the finals with his winning cocktail “Spring Dew.” Made from Ciroc vodka, Gewürztraminer wine, seedless red grapes, orange flower water and a small rose petal, Mattias shared his thoughts behind the creation: “The initial idea was to work on aromas and flavors from the garden or countryside. Moreover, I wanted to place emphasis on the characteristics of the main spirits and enhance them with the Gewürztraminer bouquet.”

An internationally renowned bartending training program, Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS has become an important event in the world of mixology and luxury drinks. During April and May 2012, Princess Cruises bartenders participated in the training from Diageo Brand Ambassadors, using fine spirits from the Diageo Reserve luxury portfolio – including KETEL ONE® vodka, CÎROC® vodka and DON JULIO® tequila.

Princess Cruises is the only cruise line to take part in this prestigious event, and winning recipes created by the heats’ finalists will be showcased aboard Princess ships throughout 2012.

“We’re so proud of Matias for making it to the finals, and are thrilled to be the first cruise line to participate in Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS,” said Peter Tobler, vice president of food and beverage operations for Princess Cruises. “Our bartenders value the recognition of their talent and look forward to bringing our passengers the new and unique cocktail offerings they are concocting.”

In addition to Grosso, the other Princess Cruises bartenders who participated in the competition semifinals are Deepakkumar Chahuan, Grand Princess, Jennifer Agbuya, Sapphire Princess, and Edgardo Pszemiarower, Ruby Princess.

These four finalists participated in a series of exciting, timed cocktail challenges set out to test their knowledge, innovation and creativity, as well as presentation and technique. Putting the contenders through their paces, the panel of judges comprised a host of industry experts, including:

* Marcy Rudershausen, Diageo’s Senior Master of Whisky for Global Duty Free Americas and  inducted into Keepers of the Quaich in Scotland in 2010.

* Spike Marchant, World Class Global Brand Ambassador.

* Julie Reiner, renowned mixologist and owner of New York’s Clover Club and consulting firm Mixtress llc, honored in 2011 with a James Beard nomination for spirits professional of the year.

Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS 2012 Global Final Week, held in Rio de Janeiro July 8-12, will bring together a star-studded roster of bartenders from the four corners of the globe to compete for the highest accolade in the bartending industry.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.