The Brain Jar's manager places in the top ten of GB bartenders

HOW EDIBLE GRASSHOPPERS AND FIERY SCOTCH BONNET 'SPICE CREAM' ELEVATED HIM AT GLOBAL COCKTAIL COMP

- By DEBORAH HALL [e-mail] @DeborahHall15

A HULL bar manager is no stranger to creative cocktail-making, having previously designed a signature drink featuring Chip Spice and tipples inspired by Lego and liquorice, among many others.

Last year, it was the tomatillo, or Mexican husk tomato, that featured in a heat-winning cocktail for Matt Smith as he battled other bartenders in a "Margarita Masters" contest.

Matt, of The Brain Jar, in Hull's Old Town, had already earned a top 20 placing earlier in 2024 in the World Class competition, a prestigious global challenge run by Diageo Bar Academy.

Now, Matt is back bidding for World Class stardom after being placed in the top ten contenders from Great Britain hoping to lift the 2025 world title.

In around 60 nations, the best bartenders are selected in advance to then travel to the global finals - this year's will be held in Toronto, in September - and prizes for the over-all winner include all-expenses-paid trips to Toronto and New York City; VIP entry to two of the best sporting events in the country; VIP entry to two coveted music events and a two-year talent representation with Global Bartending.