The Belize Institute of Mixology (BIM) conducted its second round of bartending training in San Pedro, beginning with the introduction to bartending which took place from Wednesday, August 19 to Friday, August 21st. The second phase of the training took place from Monday, August 24th to Thursday, August 27th, and both events were held at the acclaimed Rain Restaurant and Rooftop Terrace located at Grand Caribe Resort.
The introduction to bartending course saw 13 participants successfully complete the training. Participants had the opportunity to learn everything from making coconut cream from scratch, to maintaining liquor, creating garnishes, learning about glassware and other supplies/ inventory for the bar. They also learned to create exotic cocktails, as well as professionalism in the industry. At the end of this first phase of the training, the Minister of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection Honorable Erwin Contreras was on hand to present the certificates. Contreras was impressed with the participants and commended everyone for their hard work and achievement.
The second phase of the training brought in the advanced course, which saw a total of 12 participants. In this second stage of the course, the very competent bartenders were taken to the next level in terms of cocktails, equipment and ingredients used in the bar environment. The course covered a variety of methods in the creation of drinks and focused on both the practical and theoretical side of the profession. Part of the training involved the importance of first impression, customer service, the history of bartending, wine etiquette, upselling and general knowledge of the profession.
At the end of this session, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr presented the certificates to the participants. He closed the ceremonies, expressing his pleasure that BIM has taken the initiative to offer such training, as it only enhances the hospitality industry, which falls directly within his portfolio. In addition, Heredia commented that future courses will now be endorsed by the Belize Tourism Board. In view of this announcement, Luis Velasquez, owner of the BIM has began working on the steps to continue enhancing the training so as to allow a smooth transition into a fully BTB endorsed training company.
Rain restaurant opened the event to the public and for a price of $40, anyone could stop in and see the newly certified mixologists creating drinks that they had learned for the practical segment. During the demonstration section, free appetizers were passed around while the restaurant offered a 50% discount on all menu items to the participants during the course. On the last day customers were treated to a 50% discount on all drink items. This was on top of all the unlimited tastings that was offered during the practical session.
In the near future, there will be a mixology competition that will see winners from each district and major towns, meet and compete in one venue. This competition will be geared to meet international standards as it relates to the rules and as well the availability of products to work with. The winner of this competition will be awarded with several great prizes and earn the title of Belize Mixologist of the year.
According to Velasquez, BIM will be expanding its trainings to cover housekeeping, service training, hospitality management, and a master mixology bartending course. This last course will cover everything from master liquor knowledge, alcohol awareness taught by a doctor, CPR, and learning the art and science of mixology. This entails working with dry ice, flaming liquors, layered shots, liquor infusion and flair mixology.
The BIM would like to extend thanks to Hugo and Victoria Meyer, owners of Rain restaurant, Picasso Spirits, Shawn Casey, David Briceño, General Manager at Rain, the Rain staff, all the participants, and everyone that supported in any way during the courses. Rain restaurant has now officially become the home of BIM when in San Pedro.
For more information on how to sign up for training visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/belizemixology or call/text 664-1515.
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