Marzo battled it out against more than 10,000 bartenders from every corner of the globe in a competition that spanned five continents, six months, hundreds of challenges and countless cocktails.
The contest culminated in a four-day final, where 56 of the best bartenders from across the world went head-to-head in the global cultural hotspot of Berlin.
Marzo, who has worked at iconic venues such as London’s Milk & Honey, won with a combination of cocktails which blew the judges away.
“All the finalists brought their A game, but Orlando really was on another level,” Diageo Global Cocktailian and World Class judge, Lauren Mote, said.
“The Zacapa aperitif he made for the ‘Before and After’ challenge was one of the best I’ve ever tasted and the way he held his nerve in the ‘Cocktail Clash’ finale – for me, that’s the mark of a truly WORLD CLASS bartender.”
Marzo, who was in disbelief at the news, said his victory was the result of hard work and support back home.
“Just being here, competing alongside the best bartenders in the world, judged by some of the most iconic names in the business was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but to actually win,” he said.
“I’m still in shock. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my amazing team back home – they’ve cheered me on every step of the way!”
Marzo was born in the tiny Apulian village of Castiglione d’Otranto and grew up in Milan, travelling from the north to the south every year.
Having lived in Australia for around four years now, Marzo was eager to make represent his new home in the competition.
“I need to make Australia proud on the international stage,” he told IL GLOBO in an interview in May.
Having done just that, Marzo will now travel the world as a Diageo representative and will become 10th member of the World Class Hall of Fame.
