Bartenders in Glasgow will have the chance to develop their knowledge and skills thanks to a new training programme from Bacardi.
Shake Your Future already runs in a number of countries around the world, with each iteration tailored to the particular local market.
In Glasgow, Bacardi account manager Harry Olorunda has put together a training programme that will cover various facets of the drinks industry, from spirits categories and bartending techniques to drinks production, packaging and marketing.
The aim of the course is to help bartenders develop their skills as well as to highlight the full range of careers available in hospitality and the wider drinks industry.
Olorunda has recruited a number of industry veterans to help train the first cohort of bartenders, including bartenders Max Macauley and Liam Grogan – SLTN Mixologist of the Year winners in 2023 and 2022, respectively – as well as Fraser McIlwraith of Dark Art Drinks and Andy Gemmell, owner of The Gate.
The course will run two days a week for six weeks, with around a dozen participants in the first group.
The programme will culminate with the bartenders hosting a takeover of a bar in Glasgow.
Olorunda himself is a veteran of the industry in Scotland, having worked in venues including Tiki Bar before moving to the drinks industry side with roles at Emporia Brands, Halewood and now Bacardi.
“When I first started as a bartender it would have been amazing to have something like this where I could literally just go and learn rapidly and understand the intricacies,” he told SLTN.
“It’s not just the techniques, you’re also learning about being a brand rep – like my job, global ambassadors, procurement, supply chain.
“This is something that can help shape your future moving forward. It’s a massive industry.”
And if the programme takes off in Glasgow, Bacardi is planning to roll it out to other cities around Scotland.
“Glasgow’s one of the best places for a bartender because it’s all about patter,” said Olorunda.
“Once you’re confident enough to talk to a customer, everything else falls into place. If you’re scared and timid to talk to a customer, you’re scared to make a drink. You’re scared to touch the ice.
“The programme will be very Glasgow, and if it works in Glasgow we’re going to branch out into Edinburgh, we’re going to do it in Aberdeen. This is the pilot, effectively.”
The first Glasgow programme will begin in May.
