By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
Diageo Australia has launched Diageo Bar Academy, a multi-tiered development program developed to provide training and industry-recognised accreditation for bartenders, which will begin in February.
The Diageo Bar Academy program offers three different levels of training – Essentials, Foundation and Advanced – and is linked to the Diageo Reserve World Class bartending competition.
The Essentials level contains four consecutive modules – Essential Spirits, Essential Techniques, Speed & Efficiency and Essential Guide to Cocktails – delivered in 90-minute sessions.
The Foundation level provides trainees with a deeper understanding of spirits such as single malts, vodka, rum and gin, and includes hands-on aromatic blending, as well as whisky blending, sessions.
The Advanced training level, reserved for more experienced bartenders, will feature more customised and complex units developed by leading industry figures and covering local and global trends and techniques.
“At Diageo, we believe the bartender is the critical ingredient in creating world-class drinks and fantastic drinking experiences. We’re a constant champion of fine drinking and it is the combination of our acclaimed brands and highly-skilled bartenders that make this possible,” said Diageo Australia commercial director, David Halliday.
“Following on from the award-winning Alchemy training program, Diageo Bar Academy highlights Diageo’s endless commitment to fostering talent for our on-premise partners, as we aim to make the best drinks and safe drinking experiences possible.”