By Amy Looker
Diageo’s bartender training program, Alchemy, has clocked up over 3000 training sessions during the past three years, reaching approximately 30,000 Australian bartenders.
In the past financial year alone, over 12,000 bartenders have received training through the Alchemy program across 1,200 tailored training sessions.
Composed of 15 separate training modules, venues taking part in the program are able to customise a training program to suit their needs, choosing from modules such as Product Knowledge, Cocktail Solutions, or Reserve Masterclass training.
Winner of the Training Program of the Year at the 2007 and 2009 Australian Bar Awards, the Alchemy program is run by 18 of the country’s top bar professionals who tour the country to deliver the training program, including Barry Chalmers (UK Bartender of the Year, 2005), Greg Sanderson (manager of Melbourne’s Black Pearl), and Nick van Tiel (formerly of London’s Mahiki and Trailer Happiness bars.)
Diageo’s on-premise customer marketing manager, Kit Cheong, said that the program equips bartenders to introduce exciting new concepts to their bar.
“It’s fantastic to see the bartenders learn new skills, implementing them throughout the session and then taking that knowledge through to their work," Cheong said. "It’s so inspiring to offer a training solution in partnership with the venues to ensure that their staff are properly trained, giving them the best opportunity to further themselves as bar professionals."