BUSINESSECONOMYFEATURED ARTICLE

10,000 Kenyan Bartenders to Receive World Class Training at New Diageo Academy

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(L-R) Flavia Othim, KBL Head of Spirits, Joel Kamau, KBL Commercial Director with Yvonne Mwangi, Diageo Global Sales Execution Lead Africa at the launch of the Diageo Bartenders Academy at K1 Johnnie Walker Bar. The Academy intends to train 10,000 bartenders in the country over the next four months.
(L-R) Flavia Othim, KBL Head of Spirits, Joel Kamau, KBL Commercial Director with Yvonne Mwangi, Diageo Global Sales Execution Lead Africa at the launch of the Diageo Bartenders Academy at K1 Johnnie Walker Bar. The Academy intends to train 10,000 bartenders in the country over the next four months.
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10,000 bartenders in Kenya are set to receive world class training at the newly unveiled Diageo Bartender Academy over the next four months.

Kenya Breweries Limited on Thursday, February 25 unveiled the academy at the K1 Johnnie Walker Bar in Nairobi.

The program aims to upscale, build capacity and trade engagement to Kenyan bartenders. It is expected to boost the larger hospitality and tourism industry in Kenya by entrenching professionalism and quality service delivery from bartenders.

Kenya is a preferred destination for millions of business and leisure travelers around the world.

“(The program) will sharpen the skills of bartenders in Kenya, and as well raise the profile of the art form of bar service.

“We want to build a very strong bartenders’ movement in Kenya. Our consumers taste, and needs are evolving every day, therefore it is important we champion this course,” KBL Commercial Director, Joel Kamau noted at a media event.

(L-R)Joel Kamau, KBL Commercial Director pours Yvonne Mwangi, EABL Head of Sales Nairobi a drink as Nick Mutinda, EABL Head of Reserve(Luxury) and Key Accounts looks on at the launch of the Diageo Bartenders Academy at K1 Johnnie Walker Bar.
(L-R)Joel Kamau, KBL Commercial Director pours Yvonne Mwangi, EABL Head of Sales Nairobi a drink as Nick Mutinda, EABL Head of Reserve(Luxury) and Key Accounts looks on at the launch of the Diageo Bartenders Academy at K1 Johnnie Walker Bar.

He further explained that they hoped to see bartenders develop their careers through the program, and promised that KBL would continue to support the communities it works in.

READ ALSO>>>>>Bar Owners Get More Time to Apply For KBL COVID Relief

With bars’ operating hours in Kenya restricted due to Covid-19 restrictions, many bartenders have been engaged in other activities even as others grapple with unemployment and wage cuts. It is expected that the program will offer them an opportunity to use the time on their hands to upgrade their skills to world-class standards, placing them in a good position to bounce back from the shocks of the pandemic.

“The Academy serves as a great platform to keep bar brains sharp as well as entertained during this period of downtime,” KBL noted in a statement.

The program includes modules on customer service,  the art of bartending, tools of the trade, bartender secrets, drink categories, spirit production, brand knowledge, perfect serves, counterfeit spotting, up selling and, importantly, responsible serving. 

Those interested in the program were urged to contact the KBL Call Centre, Sales Representatives or to visit the Diageo Bar Academy website.

READ>>>>>KBL Unveils Sh330mn Recovery Fund For Bars

Written by
MARTIN SIELE

Martin K.N Siele is the Content Lead at Business Today. He is also a Quartz contributor and a 2021 Baraza Media Lab-Fringe Graph Data Storytelling Fellow. Passionate about digital media, sports and entertainment, Siele also founded Loud.co.ke

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