BARTENDER - A cool career for young people

Although not entirely new in Vietnam, bartending has become a popular career choice for many young people amidst the booming food and beverage (F&B) industry.

For Thanh Quang, the job of a bartender is both an art and a skill, requiring serious training.

Passion alone is not enough.

As an introverted girl who disliked interacting with strangers, Xuan Hien never thought she would become a bartender until she met a highly skilled and passionate mentor who sparked her interest in learning more about the field. Naturally inclined towards creativity, Xuan Hien persevered in her studies to become a true bartender. To create a visually and deliciously impressive drink, a bartender needs knowledge of spirits, from their characteristics to pairings, countless mixing recipes, and a solid performance art (from juggling, spinning, shaking, and pouring drinks skillfully)... In addition, the dynamic environment and diverse clientele require bartenders to possess knowledge, communication skills, and a certain level of foreign language proficiency. Bartenders also need to balance their lifestyle and maintain their health, especially since the job often involves working nights. It was a journey full of challenges and risks, but looking back, Xuan Hien is proud of the growth she has achieved.

Bartenders don't just mechanically mix drinks according to recipes; they also demonstrate great finesse, flexibility, and creativity to create drinks with appealing flavors and unique visual effects.

For Nguyen Thanh Quang, the path to becoming a professional bartender was quite challenging. The young man from Ben Tre province had studied refrigeration engineering but had to drop out due to financial difficulties and work at a Thai restaurant. Thanks to his quick wit and hard work, Quang quickly rose to the position of head chef and saved up money to return to school. After careful research and observation in the F&B industry, Quang chose to study at Saigon Tourism College. He went to school in the morning and worked in the afternoon, sometimes feeling completely exhausted, but Quang told himself he would never give up. His teacher, Thanh Duy, wholeheartedly guided him and helped him connect with employers.

By prioritizing professional ethics, Quang quickly established himself. Continuously improving his skills and cultivating a positive attitude, he earned customer goodwill by offering attentive service, understanding, and the best possible support. He participated as an assistant instructor in several courses and enthusiastically returned to the school as a professional advisor in a bartending competition.

Thanh Quang recalls the early days of his career, less than two months into his career. A customer at the bar asked him to pour three B52 cocktails. This cocktail requires the bartender to be calm, especially not to shake their hand, in order to pour three truly beautiful layers. With the help of his colleagues, Quang successfully fulfilled the customer's request. The customer was very satisfied and offered Quang another drink. Quang asked permission from the manager and drank with them. It was a meaningful moment of connection and encouragement for Quang.

Xuan Hien constantly cultivates her professional skills and enriches her life experiences.

Striving to shine

In August 2023, Nguyen Thanh Quang won first prize in the Flor de Cana Sustainable Cocktail Challenge 2023 and will be the sole representative from Vietnam in the Asia- Pacific finals this November. The winner will then go on to participate in the global finals of the Sustainable Cocktail Challenge in Nicaragua in 2024.

For bartender Xuan Hien, her guiding principle is: be brave. Be brave enough to follow your own decisions. Be brave enough to let go of things that make you insecure. Be brave enough to face unexpected situations. Xuan Hien shared: "Having accumulated many practical values ​​from my profession and from people, I have never regretted anything and always cherish my rich experiences knowing clearly what I am striving for."

Despite being a non-professional and having to compete during the peak school month, Thien Phuc (center, white shirt, glasses) still excelled and won the top prize in the Summer Drink Contest 2023. Photo: THAO PHAM

Skilled bartenders not only master standard cocktail recipes but also, by adding or subtracting one or a few ingredients, create delicious, unique, and nutritious drinks with their own personal touch. For sustainable development, bartenders need to be truly responsible, passionate about their work, and constantly improve themselves. Especially after the pandemic, with the tourism industry reopening, the influx of international tourists represents a potential customer base that cannot be missed. Recently, schools have also shown greater interest and investment in training and developing bartender skills for young people. The recent Summer Drink Contest 2023 organized by Saigon Tourism College has garnered significant attention. Ms. Ngo Thi Quynh Xuan, the school's principal, stated that the contest, open to non-bartenders, aims to ignite passion and inspiration in young people for a profession currently in high demand. Despite being its first edition, the competition was enthusiastically received, discovering many talented individuals and showcasing their creativity and finesse in combining ingredients, particularly tropical fruits, to create a variety of delicious and visually appealing drinks.

Nguyen Thien Phuc (a hotel management student) is the champion of this year's competition. According to Thien Phuc, getting to know many peers who share his passion for bartending and receiving knowledge and experience from mentors who are former students of the school has helped him gain more confidence. He plans to seriously pursue a career as a bartender in the future. Following this success, the competition organizers hope to expand the competition to include schools in Ho Chi Minh City next year.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su/bartender-nghe-chat-cua-nguoi-tre-20230812205503141.htm