New York, N.Y., (February 10, 2010) – Pernod Ricard USA, a leading producer, importer and marketer of prized spirits and wine brands in the United States, and BAR, LLC announce the spring 2010 schedule for their highly regarded BarSmarts ADVANCED, bartender training, education and certification program. Beginning in April, BarSmarts ADVANCED will travel to Seattle, Washington DC, Orlando and New Orleans reaching an entirely new group of bartending enthusiasts eager to learn the profession and industry professionals looking to sharpen their skills.
BarSmarts ADVANCED targets bartender protégés in major markets who are committed to the profession of bartending. It is delivered to a select audience in these markets through an exclusive BarSmarts ADVANCED Kit that includes a selection of DVDs, a workbook, mixology equipment (where legal) and sample certification tests. The program culminates with BarSmarts LIVE! -- a full day program of instruction, education, mixology, testing, and formal certification for the program’s top performers in each market. The event is hosted by the esteemed BAR, LLC partners who include world renowned mixologists Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Doug Frost, F. Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour and David Wondrich.
“Our BarSmarts Bartender Education Program continues to deliver results and gain momentum since we rolled out the first BarSmarts ADVANCED program in New York in the fall of 2008,” said Suzanne Freedman, Director On-Premise & BarSmarts for Pernod Ricard USA. “To date, our groundbreaking, hands-on program has trained more than 1,000 bartender candidates and is helping set a new standard of excellence within the profession. We look forward to bringing BarSmarts ADVANCED to Seattle, Washington DC, Orlando and New Orleans this spring helping a whole new group of participants learn the craft and impact the bartending profession in their markets as they pursue their careers.”
The Spring 2010 BarSmarts LIVE schedule is as follows:
· Seattle, WA - April 27
· Washington DC – April 29
· Orlando, FL - May 10
· New Orleans, LA - May 12
In response to widespread praise for BarSmarts ADVANCED, Pernod Ricard USA and BAR, LLC, in August 2009, launched BarSmarts WIRED, the 100% online version of BarSmarts. Whereas ADVANCED selects participants by invitation only, BarSmarts WIRED offers any bartender with interest in the craft an opportunity to participate and become certified through a web-based platform offered twice a year in two month intervals. The second ‘wave’ of BarSmarts WIRED will be open to interested candidates from March 1 - April 30, 2010.
BarSmarts has been designed exclusively for Pernod Ricard USA by BAR, LLC, a partnership of six highly respected spirits authorities/educators in the U.S. including Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Doug Frost, F. Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour and David Wondrich.