Joel Lonjamae, 28 from myghos Greek Tervana and lounge Kololo emerged Kampala’s Master Bartender at UBL’s training program, Master Bar Academy (MBA) event held at Serena Hotel Kampala yesterday attracted up to thirty bartenders who had made it to the final round. The winner was awarded a $1,000 (US dollars) cash prize, an iPad loaded with exclusive cocktail apps, and title of Master Bartender.
Speaking to the media, excited Joel said, “I am so happy that I have won. The program has been transparent and fair. Winning the title of Master Bartender 2014, has so far been the highlight of my career. I intend to invest the $1000 I have won into my small shop in Seeta. I am thankful to UBL for the opportunity to expand my knowledge of serving experiences and I encourage my fellow bartenders to enroll into the program when the opportunity arises to upgrade their skills. I now understand what the perfect serve and a perfect balance. With this knowledge I hope to serve more interesting drinks like Cosmopolitan cocktail to my clients.”
MBA is Africa’s largest bartender training programme, sponsored by the world’s No. 1 selling premium spirit – Smirnoff Vodka, run by Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) with support from Diageo UK and facilitating instructors from South Africa. UBL established this program to up-skill bartenders in Uganda and in-turn deliver better drinking experiences to its consumers. Consumer demands are dynamic and people are on the lookout for new, more exciting and better drinking experiences. The MBA aims to raise the bar behind the bar.
According to Mark Barrett, Spirits Capability Manager – Diageo Africa, “To date we have trained more than 600 bartenders in Uganda in the last few years. We expect to finish off this round of training with a further 300. UBL & Diageo are committed to promoting responsible drinking and this course is an excellent way of teaching the people that serve our brands to consumers; the bartenders.”
“We at UBL are committed to developing bartender capabilities through raising the standard in the bartender profession, as a guarantee to deliver much better drinking experiences to our consumers. Uganda Breweries is set to train over 300 more bar staff in 11 MBA 101 training sessions starting 18th March. The cycle will then be repeated in the search for Uganda’s next Master Bar tender.” Says Emmy Hashakimana, Customer marketing manager UBL.
The winning bartender leaves with an MBA iPad loaded with exclusive cocktail apps, $1000 (US dollars), the MBA winner’s certificate and the title of Master Bartender Uganda.
All the MBA 303 finalists receive an exclusive MBA shirt, sweat band, MBA towel and a MBA certificate. The top 5 receive all of the above plus a special cocktail kit.
“Vote for your favorite artistes to win in the #ZZINAwards this April. Visit;www.galaxyfm.co.ug or Vote on your phone by dialing *289*4# and follow prompts. Voting closes on April 26th 2014.”