MBA is Africa's largest bartending programme and is run by Diageo (the world's leading premium drinks business) and Brandhouse. The training programme, to date, has taken place in more than 30 cities and has trained over 14 000 bartenders. It is giving new skills to individuals to support themselves and their families.
The programme is intense and requires dedication to all theory- and practical-based aspects. There are three modules to be completed and, at the end, only 30 MBA students are chosen to compete for the title of Cape Town's next Master Bartender. Those 30 are then narrowed down to five.
The final leg of the competition was held at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Cape Town. The finalists were Marson Strydon (Beuna Vista), Shakeel Louw (Mitchell and Ferrymans), Jean Pierre Basson (Bossa Social), Eric Viljoen (Beuna Vista) and Charles Chayala (Abantu). They each selected a card with a cocktail on the back side, they then had to make the cocktail and wow the judges.
The judging was based on knowledge of the drink, including knowledge of the ingredients used as well as the skill involved and the "wow" factor.
At the end of the evening Marson Strydom was announced the winner and walked away with an iPad, R10 000 and the title of Master Bartender.
I may be thinking of bartending as a new career path - although I think my expertise is better suited to the other side of the bar. Well done to all involved in the setting up of the awards, the finalists and to Hilton Double Tree for hosting a spectacular event.
