Zana Möhlmann, Beverage Manager at Manhattan and East47, has been named World Class Bartender of the Year 2026 Singapore following the national finals of Diageo’s bartending competition.
The competition, which ran over three months, brought together some of Singapore’s leading bartenders through a series of challenges designed to test technical skills, creativity and service standards. The finals took place on May 25 and concluded with The Showdown Challenge, where the top five finalists were tasked with preparing six classic cocktails selected at random from a list of 15 recipes.
Designed to simulate a busy service environment, the challenge required participants to balance speed, accuracy and guest engagement. Möhlmann’s performance secured her the title and a place at the World Class Global Finals 2026, which will be held in Scotland from October 18 to 23.
The judging panel included industry figures such as Vanessa Leon, Bannie Kang, Orlando Marzo, Michito Kaneko and Nicole-Marie Ng.
Möhlmann competed alongside Ellen Su of Restaurant Born, Josiah Chee of Bar Bon Funk, Ooi Foo Giap of Last Word and Alex “Happy” Gilmour in the national finals. The event also recognised Elisabeth Lim of 28 HongKong Street with the Bartender’s Bartender Award, an honour voted on by fellow competitors.
The Singapore edition of World Class forms part of Diageo’s global programme focused on bartending education, cocktail culture and industry development. Möhlmann will now go on to represent Singapore at the international finals later this year.