Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1249
58 / the tasting panel / june 2009 "W hen we started Beverage Alcohol Resource [BAR] in 2005, only eight percent of bartenders in the U.S. had any sort of real training," says Paul Pacult. Along with being a founding partner of BAR, he's a staunch advocate for bartender training. "They need education and training because bartending is becoming a career again, one that's truly respected." Responding to the rise of America's cocktail culture, Pacult teamed with Pernod Ricard USA in 2007 to release BarSmarts, a bartender training and education program. Pacult created the basic format, including a DVD and workbook for the home. "We wanted to take the program directly to bar- tenders, and we know that they keep odd hours. So it had to be convenient," says Pacult. On a recent day in Austin, about 110 stu- dents participated in BarSmart's interactive certification phase, which included blind tastings and instruction from Pacult and other educators. Along with written exams, students were tested on their ability to mix three drinks in eight minutes and then judged according to ingredients, technique, taste and presentation. Austin was the third city on the tour, which then headed to Chicago, Boston and Atlanta. A fall tour is also scheduled. Shawn Kelley, Director of Public Relations for Pernod Ricard USA, says that although some F&B directors and restaurateurs have attended, about 85 percent of the students are working bartenders. "BarSmarts is a real investment in their careers because cocktails and spirits are coming back. Pernod wants to be the educational leader in mixology for this revival." Pacult adds that it's also a good investment for management to send their bartenders to BarSmarts because a good bartender creates a sense of community in a restaurant or bar. "That's what these people are doing here," he says. "They're raising their game, and we're giving them the knowledge we have so that they can take mixology to heights that we never even thought possible." Acclaimed spirits and wine writer Paul Pacult teamed with Pernod Ricard USA in 2007 to release BarSmarts, a bar- tender training and education program. Texas Know-How Pernod Ricard USA gets smart in Austin story and photo by Anthony Head Education We wanted to take the pro- gram directly to bartenders, and we know that they keep odd hours. So it had to be convenient"