World Class

Our final emcee should be familiar to you all, .Wallace is the reigning World Class US Bartender of the Year. As a Bars & Spirits Manager at a luxury coastal resort group, he leads a team of 60+ bartenders across 18 outlets, shaping experiences that feel both thoughtful and personal. A four-time World Class US National Finalist and two-time Speed Round winner, Nic was named the 2025 U.S. World Class Bartender of the Year—capping a journey defined by growth, precision, and leadership.

“World Class has had a defining impact on my career. Over the past 10 years, it has challenged me to grow far beyond building great cocktails and pushed me to become a more complete bartender, leader, and mentor. It sharpened my approach to creativity, discipline, and precision, while also teaching me the importance of storytelling and genuine hospitality in competition and in service. Through the process, I learned how to connect personal meaning to what I create behind the bar, making every cocktail feel more intentional and every interaction more natural. World Class also opened the door to an incredible community of bartenders and mentors who helped shape the way I lead, teach, and represent hospitality today. It has been one of the most influential experiences of my professional life.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

You’ve met the competitors, now meet who’s taking the mic at this year’s competition. is stepping in as an emcee and bringing serious World Class credentials with her.

A leader in the Minneapolis bartending community, she oversees beverage programs for some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants while mentoring the next generation and championing more sustainable practices. Named World Class US Bartender of the Year in 2022, she knows firsthand what it takes to compete—and what what opportunities it unlocks.

“My experience with World Class has opened so many doors for me, personally and professionally. I've travelled across the globe and made professional connections that would have been impossible on my own. Competing in World Class means becoming part of a worldwide collective; you'll find an opportunity to build your network in every market. In addition to meeting some of my now-closest friends, I have also progressed in my career and been able to advocate for myself in the job market due to the credibility of World Class.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

The best judges keep showing up. brings global perspective and deep industry influence to . Now Executive Director of the Tales_of_the_Cocktail Foundation, she first made her mark in London—earning UK Bartender of the Year—before taking her expertise around the world, with time spent living in Barcelona and Buenos Aires. She went on to lead a global network of 100 brand ambassadors across 40 countries, and today continues to shape the industry through education, consulting on bar programs and cocktail menus, and her work with leading training programs.

A long-time admirer of the World Class experience, Charlotte explains, “I have always been impressed by the way World Class has pushed bartenders beyond their best to a new level of excellence and creativity.”

MUST BE 21+. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.