Best of Budapest & Hungary

The first-ever World Class Hungary bartending competition has concluded with resounding success. Over the course of several months, Hungary’s best bartenders were challenged across multiple stages – testing not just their technical skills, but also their creativity, storytelling, and hospitality mindset.

    The Hungarian National Final held at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace saw the top 10 contestants from some of the best bars in Budapest compete in the last two rounds of challenges. After combining the results of the semi-finals and the final rounds, Zsombor Tóth (Múzsa Bar, Four Seasons Hotel) emerged as the winner – earning the title "World Class Bartender of the Year – Hungary 2025." His refined, precise, and distinctive cocktails impressed the international panel of highly experienced and respected judges – standing out in an exceptionally strong and inspiring field.

    Earning the title of World Class Bartender of the Year is more than just an accolade – it’s a career-defining milestone, opening doors to new opportunities, global networks, and professional confidence.

    Highlights from the Competition

    The competition was structured around three key challenges, each testing different aspects of a world-class bartender’s skillset.

• Johnnie Walker Black Label Challenge

A signature cocktail and video presentation that combined storytelling, social media appeal, and flavor innovation. This served as a qualifying round with 26 highly skilled bartenders sending in their full application.

The panel of international judges Tim Philips-Johansson (Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador, World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2012), Tony Velich (World Class & Johnnie Walker Brand Manager, Italmarket Slovakia, 2014 Slovakian Champion), and Dominik Tapusík (Bar Manager, Skybar Bratislava; Diageo Whisky Ambassador) selected the top 20 bartenders who could go on to the semi-final.

The two best performing bartenders in this challenge had the chance to participate in the Johnnie Walker Weekender Festival (3 day whisky educational tour for Europe’s selected 150 bartenders) in Edinburgh as a special prize. Noah Katona’s (Elysian Bar) video stood out the most among the applications with it’s creative, well-rounded storytelling and community focused approach.

• Don Julio Hyper-Local Challenge (Semi-Final) – A drink inspired by local ingredients and Canadian cultural links, highlighting sustainability and personal interpretation by the top 20 contestants, presented live in front of international judges. The challenge featured Don Julio super-premium tequila (made from 100% blue agave) as the base spirit.
  The live presentation of the Don Julio cocktails and their narratives was judged by Kenji Jesse (Global On-Trade Consultant), Paul Sfirlea (Diageo Bar Academy Head Trainer, World Class Romania 2014 winner), and Andrei Lung (Diageo Brand Ambassador, World Class Romania 2019 winner).
• We saw many innovative techniques  being used, such as fat-washing, lacto-fermentation, and sous-vide, to present the unique flavors of the two cultures. Zsombor Tóth’s (Múzsa Bar) chervil cordial-based cocktail with maple and raisin foam was deemed the most delicious and visually appealing by the judges.

• Zacapa Mystery Box & Speed Round (Hungarian National Final) – A high-pressure, live final that combined spontaneous creativity, brand integration, and flawless execution under time constraints.
  The Zacapa Mystery Box Challenge saw the top 10 finalists compete for 5 spots in the all-decisive Speed Round.
  Each mystery box contained Zacapa Solera Gran Reserva rum and a handful of other ingredients. Contestants had only 20 minutes to prepare a balanced, visually impressive Zacapa signature cocktail using only the box’s contents and shared tools. Storytelling, clean and refined technique, and strong personal expression were also key criteria to advance to the Speed Round.

• These final two rounds were judged by three representatives of different bartender generations:
• Aristotelis Papadopoulos, a living legend and winner of the very first World Class Global Final in 2009, with over 40 years of experience.
• Ariel Leizgold, owner of several bars in Berlin and Tel Aviv, and a global top-four finalist in 2015.
• Greta Skamaročiūtė, bar manager of Nomads in Vilnius, who represented the Baltic states at the 2024 Global Final in Shanghai.

    The evening culminated in the Speed Round, where the top five finalists had to prepare seven classic cocktails using a variety of techniques – under intense time pressure. Speed alone wasn’t enough: competitors had to deliver perfect drinks and a guest-centered, engaging performance under the spotlight.

    A Historic Victory

   Throughout the three-round competition, Zsombor Tóth (Múzsa Bar) consistently delivered a balanced, high-level performance. According to the international jury, he most naturally integrated technical skill, creative vision, and personal style – in a presentation that was polished, confident, and authentic.

    With this achievement, Zsombor becomes the first-ever World Class Hungary Bartender of the Year. This autumn, he will represent Hungary at the World Class Global Final in Toronto, where the world’s top bartenders will compete. Until then, Zsombor will undergo intensive training with local mentors and a regional bootcamp.

    Reflecting on his win, Zsombor shared:

    “The excitement and joy of this beautiful journey will stay with me forever. It feels almost unreal to win the very first World Class Hungary competition – it’s a tremendous honor to represent my country on the international stage.

    The past four months have been an intense learning experience for all of us, helping us grow as bartenders in every way.

    For me, the biggest challenge was to show the judges and the audience just how much I enjoyed every single moment of the competition.

    Hungarian cocktail and bar culture is developing year by year, and I know every competitor contributes to this daily.

    I owe more than I could ever give back – eternal gratitude to my family, my colleagues, and everyone who supported me and Ádám Rédli. They were always by my side – offering advice, pointing out the details I might have missed, helping with everything. This success would have been unimaginable without them!”