The UKBG in Africa
UKBG Vice President Luca Cordiglieri and UKBG bartender trainer Brian Page have just returned from Abuja, Nigeria where they provided a bartender training course for the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
Brian said that they were a bit nervous as to what they would encounter but they had no need to worry, they found the hotel bar staff very friendly and who already had great customer skills but they were very eager to learn more about making quality cocktails.
Brian and Luca were amazed at how quickly the students picked up the use of the Boston Shaker, they had never used such a shaker before and after a slow start their skills and confidence were becoming more obvious by the day.
The hotel provided very good facilities in the form of a training lecture area and a bar just for training use.
The Transcorp Hilton Hotel is a very large and very busy hotel but built around 25 years ago it had been showing signs of its age. The General Manager Mr. Andre Herrenschmidt and Food and Beverage Manager Mr. Josef Mikulka were determined on not only upgrading the hotels facilities but also the standard of the services they provided to their many guests and the bartender training programme was an important part of this upgrading.
Above
Brian and Luca supervise the UKBG Bar Training at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.
They were very keen on having training from an International Bartenders Association member country , Africa has at present only one IBA member country and both Luca and Brian expressed a hope that in years to come Nigeria will form a bartenders association and be able to apply for membership of the IBA.
The week long training ended in the inevitable cocktail competition with each of the participants showing of their new learnt skills and creative abilities. The eventual winner was Omoruan Samson Murphy who runs the hotels beautiful Pool Bar, (we are assured that despite his name he has no Irish connections)
At a meeting between the UKBG trainers and the hotel management before departure the trainers were complimented on the training they had provided and were told that they would be welcome back in around six months time to both check up on the progress of those that had completed the course and to train even more staff.
Both Luca and Brian would jump at the chance of returning and to yet again show how the skilled bartenders of the UKBG are leading the World in the art of bartending.
Below
Brian lectures to the participants of the UKBG Bartender Training Course at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeri.
Bar & Cocktail Training Courses - London and the South of England
( Click here for information on National Certificate for Personal License Holders » )
DO YOU WANT TO BE A COCKTAIL BARTENDER?
Take your pick from a range of 1, 3 and 5-day courses developed by Brian Page, the course's creator. Peter Dorelli (formerly at The American Bar, The Savoy) is also a tutor.
The UKBG runs three different bartender training courses at regular intervals throughout the year, plus the opportunity to gain a Personal License, which provides a nationally accredited personal license to anyone who authorises the sale of alcohol to the public. (Please see the end of this page for more details.)
All our London courses are run at the training academy of ‘Off to Work’ in Fulham, London SW6, just a five minute walk from Fulham Broadway Underground station on the District Line.
‘Off to Work’ also offer the possibility of work with their bar team for any of their top-quality events.
For more details on training, please get in touch with Brian Page - Training Courses, Barconsult
Tel: 0208 529 4305
Mob: 07711 701 425
Go to the Contact Us section to email Brian Page if the link below does not work.
Brian Page
NEW One-day Bar and Cocktail Training Seminar
This is a new seminar added to meet the demand for a one-day format.
and is designed for those who are very new to, or who are thinking about joining, the bar industry and want to know a bit more about the business and what is required of them.
It highlights the basic skills required and teaches some classic and some of today’s more modern cocktails. A joint UKBG/IBA/HSA certificate is awarded to all who attend.
The new one-day seminar will be held on one day a month, and will be offered more frequently as demand grows.
The date for the one-day seminar is listed below.
The one-day seminar costs £100. A £50 deposit is required to reserve a place on the course, and the balance of £50 is to be paid before or on the morning of the course.
Level 1
This course is designed for people who are working in, but are still new to, the bar industry, and gives a grounding in basic bar and cocktail-making skills. It is run over three consecutive days.
The cost is £250 and includes one year’s membership of the UKBG. A joint UKBG/IBA/HSA certificate, which is recognised in all the 55-member countries of the International Bartenders' Association, is awarded to all those who complete the course.
Level 2
This course is for those with a minimum of two years experience of working in a bar with a good standard of service, or who have completed the Level 1 course. It is also good for bartenders who feel confident about their skills, and seek a promotion to a bar supervisory or bar management position, which requires new and different skills.
The cost of this course is £400. We also offer a ‘pay as you learn’ scheme for the Level 2 course.
All successful participants are given one year’s free membership of the UKBG.
A graded certificate, also recognised by all the 55-member countries of the IBA, is awarded to those who successfully pass a practical and multiple choice written test.
*A pass mark of 60% to 79% gains a ‘Pass’ grade.
* A pass mark of 80% to 89% gains a ‘pass with Credit’ grade.
*Those who obtain over 90% gain a‘Pass with Distinction’ grade .
DATES FOR 2010
One-day Seminar
The One-Day Seminar will cost £100. A £50 deposit is required to reserve a place on the course and the balance of £50 is to be paid before or on the morning of the course.
Registration for One Day
Click on the link below, print it out, complete it, and then send it with your cheque to the address on the form.
Registration Form (Word Doc) »
DATES FOR 2010
Level 1
September 13th 14th and 15th
The course fee: £250. A £100 deposit is required to reserve a place. The balance can be paid on the first day of the course or we can invoice an employer. Please advise which way you want to pay.
Registration for Level 1
Click on the link below, print it out, complete it, and then send it with your cheque to the address on the form.
Registration Form (Word Doc) »
DATES FOR 2010
Level 2
November 22nd 23rd and 24th and the 29th and 30th
The course fee: £400. It is possible to pay in instalments during the course; we still require a £100 deposit to reserve a place on each course.
Registration for Level 2
Click on the link below, print it out, complete it, and then send it with your cheque to the address on the form.
Registration Form (Word Doc) »
WHAT TO EXPECT
A typical day on all courses starts at 10.30am with a series of lectures, including PowerPoint projections and perhaps a video presentation. After lunch the participants are required to produce a range of classic and modern cocktails (under the supervision of experienced course tutors). We use genuine quality products in the preparation of our cocktails. (Coloured water is never used.)
Invited speakers from leading spirits companies attend on some afternoons during the Level 2 course, offering advanced product knowledge and the opportunity to taste their product. Guest bartenders are also invited to take part in the activities and to pass on their knowledge and skills to to participants.
Our day on all courses finishes at 5.30pm. Students are frequently requested to do extra study in preparation for the next day.
Subjects included in Level 1 include:
- Alcohol awareness and the bartender
- Cocktail creation
- Types of bars
- Classic and modern cocktails
- The enhanced role of the bartender
- Equipment, glassware and machinery
- Classification of mixed drinks
- Basic product knowledge
- Classification of products
Subjects included in Level 2 include:
- Advanced product knowledge
- Supervisory and training skills
- Sales and Marketing techniques
- Safety and security
- Accident prevention
- Stock controls
- Stocktaking
- Cocktail creation for competition
- More advanced cocktails
The UKBG is a non-profit making organisation controlled by bartender members. This ensures competitive prices and also ensures that all courses are run to the UKBG’s exacting high standards.
The UKBG is a proud founding member of both the International Bartenders' Association and the UK’s Hospitality Skills Alliance.
Details of the 55 member countries of the IBA can be found on www.iba-world.com
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DO YOU WANT TO BE A COCKTAIL BARTENDER?
A range of 1, 3 and 5 day courses developed by bar legends Brian Page and Peter Dorelli, suitable for beginners through to aspiring managers.
Course presenters Brian Page (left) and Peter Dorelli (right).
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Comments from recent participants.
"I liked the work schedule and it was well presented. The venue and its facilities were excellent. I will be recommending the course to my colleagues."
"I enjoyed the interactive element on the course. We were encouraged to try something new but also learnt the classic cocktails, which gave us a good foundation to build on."
"You showed me that there is more to bartending than just making a drink. The content is very good content and the course is excellent value for money."
"I liked the credibility of Brian and Peter, a real ‘dream team’."
"Until I started your course I was a bar back with little chance of promotion, now I am a fully-fledged bartender and it is all because of you. Thank you very much."
"Just a note to thank you and Peter for the expert tuition given to Ondrej who attended your recent course. He certainly came back to work buzzing with ideas and with a new professional pride, so many thanks."