Travel Channel To Premiere "World's Best Bartender" Today, November 19

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Channel to premiere "World's Best Bartender" today, Monday, November 19 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.  Hosted by Travel Channel's Don Wildman, this one-hour special showcases the top bartenders from all corners of the globe facing off in multiple rounds of competition.  From Italy to Australia, and Lebanon to the United States, these 39 contenders have proved they're the best on their own turf.  Now, they need to test their talent, training and genius in a spectacular series of bartending challenges.  Each bartender competes in three rounds of elimination, leading to a single winner who will earn the title "World's Best Bartender."  The competition takes place in beautiful Rio de Janeiro, where each contestant competes and pushes the boundaries of creativity, innovation and showmanship. 

Similar to a celebrity-cooking competition, judges and "gurus" watch, score and taste each of the competing cocktails.  In the first round, the bartenders must craft two distinct cocktails.  The first drink will be made at the "retro bar," where each bartender will make an old-school cocktail such as a Martini, Manhattan or Bloody Mary.   The second beverage in round one will be made at the "Hollywood bar," where each bartender will invent a cocktail based on a movie.  At the end of the first round, more than half of the contenders are sent home.  In the second round, at the "Rio street market bar," the remaining 16 bartenders must create a cocktail based on the local and exotic fruits of Rio de Janeiro.  And in the final round, the 10 finalists have eight minutes to make as many stunning cocktails as they can, followed by the final challenge of making their signature drink.

"Exploring local food and drinks is a huge part of travel.  They are the heart and soul of a location and key factors in experiencing its culture," said Andy Singer, General Manager, Travel Channel.  "'World's Best Bartender' provides an exclusive pass to the world's biggest and most-intense bartending competition.  Viewers will get front-row access to the nail-biting competition – both on stage and behind the scenes."

"World's Best Bartender" is produced by Shine Limited for Travel Channel.  For Shine, the executive producer is Cy Chadwick.  For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Bill Howard.

TRAVEL CHANNEL (http/:www.travelchannel.com) is a multiplatform travel lifestyle brand with the core mission of providing inspiring and compelling programming that takes viewers beyond their everyday destinations, making the unfamiliar familiar, whether it's around the world or around the block. A dual feed network that is also available in HD, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and is available in over 94 million U.S. cable homes.  Owned and operated by Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), Travel Channel has offices in Chevy Chase, MD, and New York, NY.  Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI) also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

Diageo World Class is the largest international cocktail education program that champions the art of the crafted cocktail.  This captivating experience celebrates bartenders and mixologists in 50 countries across the globe through knowledge, skill and appreciation of the industry.  One bartender or mixologist from each country competes to win the prestigious honor of being named World's Best Bartender by Diageo and international cocktail gurus.  Diageo World Class features spirits from the Diageo Reserve portfolio including Ketel One^® Vodka, Ciroc^® Vodka, Tanqueray^® No. TEN Gin, Zacapa^® Rum, Bulleit^® Bourbon, Johnnie Walker^® Blended Scotch Whisky and Tequila Don Julio^®.  Diageo asks that everyone celebrate their craft responsibly. 

SOURCE Travel Channel