The countdown to the Diageo World Class GB 2026 finals is officially on, and this year’s Top 10 finalists are ready to showcase their skill, creativity and passion behind the bar. Among them are familiar faces returning with experience and refined technique alongside six exciting newcomers eager to make their mark. We sit down with Tayēr + Elementary’s Yen-Cheng Chen ahead of the finals next week to talk about his journey to the competition, the inspiration behind his drinks and what it means to be competing for the Diageo World Class GB 2026 title.

What was your reaction when you found out you’d made the Top 10?

Honestly, it was quiet. Not because I didn’t care, but because I knew that was where the real work begins!

Which aspect are you most excited about heading into the finals?

Technique and pressure together. When the technical foundation is solid, pressure doesn’t feel like a threat; it makes you sharper.

What do you hope people learn about you or your bartending style through this competition?

I approach drinks the way a perfumer approaches a formula: top, heart, base. That’s not a metaphor, it’s how I actually build every drink.