TGI Fridays™ Names Lauren Flintham as Greatest Bartender in the World

"At Fridays, we're proud of our bars and especially our bartenders. The World Bartender Championship gives them a chance to hone their skills and show off their moves," said Vice President of Concept Development Matt Durbin. "Flintham epitomizes what it takes to be a great Fridays bartender."

This is the 26^th year TGI Fridays has held the World Bartender Championship. Before even taking the stage, the nine finalists who competed had to duke it out against 9,000 Fridays bartenders to make it to the championship. And it's about more than just "fancy flairing" – finalists were tested on product, ingredient and recipe knowledge – all the skills needed to be a great bartender.

As TGI Fridays continues to evolve and innovate behind the bar and beyond, the brand is partaking in an expansive remodeling of a vast majority of the 470 plus domestic restaurants by the end of 2018. At Fridays, the bar is what propels the entire restaurant, which is why it's a focal point in every location. Guests can always find a six-foot airplane propeller displayed above every Fridays bar they visit in every location around the world. 

The finalists in this year's World Bartender Championship hailed from four different countries:

• Santiago Emeric (Orlando, Fla.)
• Lauren Flintham (Limassol, Cyprus)
• Alex Barrenechea Gagurevich (Lima, Peru)
• Amanda George (Chambersburg, Pa.)
• Vincent Haung (Taipei, Taiwan)
• Jessica Myers (Vestal, N.Y.)
• Chris Oswiany (Beaver Creek, Ohio)
• Alejandro Silva (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
• Andres Zamorano (Dallas, Texas)

"It is an honor to be named the World's Greatest Bartender," said Flintham. "I'm proud to represent my town, come back to my local Fridays as the World Bartender Champion and display this legendary propeller over my bar!"

Leading up to the World Bartender Championship, Fridays' U.S. restaurants raised $30,000 for Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, through local events and raffles.

About TGI Fridays
In 1965, Fridays™ opened its first location in New York City. Fridays revolutionized the dining industry and is credited with creating the Potato Skin and popularizing the Long Island Ice Tea, among other culinary creations and cocktails. Today, there are over 900 restaurants in 60 countries which offer high quality, authentic American food and legendary drinks, served with genuine personal service. Bringing people together to socialize and celebrate the freeing and liberating spirit of "Friday" is the concept's founding premise, from which the brand promise "In Here, It's Always Friday®" was born. Find more information and participating Fridays locations by downloading the app or visiting Fridays.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary Ann Schoppman
Zeno Group
212-299-3975
[email protected]

SOURCE TGI Fridays

Related Links

https://www.tgifridays.com/