Ranjana Kakodkar
He pours a little vodka into a glass, mixes in a little orange juice, flips the glass in the air, does a 360-degree spin and punctuates the performance with a backhand catch. Bartending, one of the most neglected disciplines in the hospitality and service industry has evolved into an exciting and viable career. Working as a bartender entails learning a host of skills and having just the right proportion of attitude.
Earlier, bartending meant spending long hours serving cranky customers in sleazy bars, while earning a pittance in return. In comparison, today’s new-age bartender is a Page 3 star. But at the same time, only the hardworking and disciplined can thrive in this physically challenging arena.
Hotel management schools teach bartending as part of the Food and Beverage Service subject. However, what’s taught is very theoretical and not many practical sessions are imparted. The need to teach bartending as an exclusive subject was realised when the STIR Academy of Bartending and the Hospitality Training Institute, both in Mumbai, came into existence.
How does one I get in? Ideally, you need to be a hotel management graduate. This gives you an edge as you already have sound knowledge of the hotel industry. You can even start off right after junior college. Both the STIR Academy of Bartending at Chowpatty and the Hospitality Training Institute (HTI) at Mahim conduct many short-term and long-term courses for those wanting to learn the art of mixing cocktails.
You start off as a trainee bartender, then move on to being a Head Bartender. If you stick around for a while, you can become a Bar Captain and finally a Beverage Manager. After gaining a few years of experience and developing some contacts, you can freelance for private parties. Another option is to become a consultant for liquor companies in India and abroad. Teaching is also a lucrative aspect that need not be ignored. Many move on to work on cruise liners, as that’s where the big money is.
For a bartender product knowledge is very important. Unless you know what we are selling, you can’t be better bartender. You need to be self-disciplined and should never, ever drink on the job. Moreover, you need to be a real people’s person. You need to have excellent communication skills and be a quick thinker
Courses in Bartending:
* STIR Academy of Bartending
Mumbai.
Phone: 24452750
Email: stir@vsnl.com
*Hospitality TrainingInstitute
Mahim, Mumbai.
Phone: 24453914
Email: hti@indiatimes.com
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