By Rebecca Harris
The 2008 Australian Liquor Industry Awards’ Bar Manager of the Year, Julian Damjano, has joined Alchemy, Diageo’s industry training, as a trainer.
Managed by industry services agency Behind Bars, the Alchemy training program is designed to improve bartenders’ skills. The program already has a number of key trainers on board, including Blake Head from The Beresford in Sydney and Barry Chalmers from The Bowery in Brisbane.
Currently bar manager at Hugos Bar Pizza in Sydney’s Kings Cross, Damjano said he was really looking forward to his new role.
“I’m thrilled to join the team of such a great, award-winning program,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to give back to the industry some of what I have learnt over the last 12 years.”
Behind Bars’ managing director Sven Almenning said he was excited about Damjano joining the team. “Julian’s an outstanding industry professional. [We] look forward [to] him sharing his knowledge and expertise at Diageo’s Alchemy sessions.”
Damjano will continue to work at Hugo’s Bar Pizza on a part-time basis.