Andrew Mwesige a bar tender at Club Silk was announced as the top bartender at Master Bar Academy (MBA) event held at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala sponsored by Smirnoff the world’s No. 1 selling Spirit. MBA is Africa’s largest bartending programme run by Uganda Breweries Ltd a subsidiary of Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company. Thirteen barmen competed in the finals after completing the 101 training session which had over 140 bartenders…. “This is the second year running that we are running the MBA program in Uganda. Our aim is to establish international standards of service with the bartender which ultimately translates into a better drinking experience for the consumer in Uganda. By rewarding and recognising the top bar tenders we hope to transform bar tending from what is often seen as a part time job to a viable career,” said Raymond Van der Salm Sales Director Uganda Breweries. The training programme has been run in 30 cities across Africa and has impacted over 8,000 bartenders to date.
To be a Top Master Bartender all trainees must complete three modules. The first module, titled MBA 101 is a one day workshop which covers key topics on bartending like customer service, bartender secrets, responsible drinking and a whole lot more. Each of the bartender trainees leaves the workshop with a manual and a link to a mobi-site, to complete the second module -MBA 202. Once completed only the highest scoring twenty five bartenders are selected to go through to MBA 303.
The last module consists of a full day of training where after several tests the final five are chosen. The final five complete a live showdown in front of an audience where one bartender is given the title as the Master Bartender. All the MBA 303 finalists receive an exclusive MBA shirt, sweat band, towel as well as a MBA certificate. The final five each receive all the as well as a special cocktail kit. The Master Bartender leaves with an iPad loaded with exclusive cocktail apps, $1000 (US dollars) and the title of his/ her city as The Master Bartender.
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