On 19th November 2019, the Anguilla Community College’s (ACC), Becoming A Bartender course was completed with eight participants competing in a Mixology Competition, showcasing the skills and techniques they learnt over the past eight weeks. The participants came from various hospitality establishments, government and persons who were interested in bartending skills. Most of the alcohol was sponsored by International Wines and Spirits (IWAS). The course was facilitated by one of Anguilla’s top Mixologists, Mr. Jamal Hodge. Anyone who has engaged in dialogue with Mr. Hodge on the art of bartending will quickly realize he is a walking encyclopedia on all things related to beverages!
Becoming A Bartender was designed to equip course participants with the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate independently within a bar. The professional in the bar is not only a mixologist, but also a conversationalist and entertainer whilst ensuring the safety and well-being of the bar’s patrons and, of course, ensuring profits for the establishment.
By the end of the course students were able to: perform routine tasks in a bar in a safe and sanitary manner, identify and appropriately utilise common bar equipment, utensils and glassware, organize equipment, utensils, glassware, and beverage ingredients to begin bar service, identify the various types and categories alcoholic and non-alcoholically beverages in the bar and their appropriate use, present drinks in a visually appealing manner, make modern, specialty and custom cocktails and mocktails and operate in a bar while giving professional high standards of service.
The class culminated with a written assessment, as well as free pour assessments in which students worked on their dexterity to improve their ability to free pour using both hands. For their mixology assessment students had to prepare two popular drinks including, shaken or stirred Margaritas, Mojitos, various Martinis and Whiskey Sours. Additionally, they had to create their own cocktail using the liquors that were used during the course and it could have been a unique twist on an existing cocktail, or something completely new. All of the participants’ cocktails were appealingly presented and the tasters unanimously agreed that the beverages were of the correct consistency, colour, flavour and balance. The featured cocktail is a ‘Hibiscus Mule’ prepared by Kendelle Gumbs
The Anguilla Community College would like to express its sincere gratitude to the management and staff of International Wine & Spirits for their continued support of all our beverage related courses, our judges who so willing participated in the final mixology exercise and gave the participants invaluable feedback to help them further develop their bartending skills and to the budding mixologists who participated in the programme. Delrine, an experienced bartender who took the course said she learnt a lot especially which flavours complemented each other and described the experience as ‘marvelous’ and ‘wonderful.’ Another participant, Lesroy Clarke said “it was very informative the lecturer was very knowledgeable and I enjoyed it thoroughly.” Lesroy plans to do further studies in bartending to continue enhancing his skills.
For more information on upcoming courses offered at the Anguilla Community College call (264) 498-8395 or go to apply.acc.edu.ai.
– Press Release
