Bartending as a career option
Ranjan K Baruah *
New restaurants and bars are being opened in different parts of the state and other north eastern states. We could see pubs and restaurants around us. With the increase of eating joints in the state, there has been increased in bars and pubs too.
Some people may not like it but the fact is that there are bars and pubs which are easily accessible. Well, I am not trying to speak for bars but I am interested to write about an option which is related with bars or pubs. I am talking about bartending as a career option in today’s edition and hope that our readers shall like it.
One of the most eccentric and interesting careers in the hospitality industry is ‘Bartending’. It is a part of the food and beverage department of the hospitality industry.
A bartender (also known as a barkeep, barman, barmaid, bar chef, tapster, mixologist, alcohol server, flairman or an alcohol chef) is a person who formulates and serves alcoholic or soft drink beverages behind the bar, usually in a licensed establishment. Bartenders also usually maintain the supplies and inventory for the bar.
Bartenders are also usually responsible for confirming that customers meet the legal drinking age requirements before serving them alcoholic beverages.
In certain countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Sweden, bartenders are legally required to refuse more alcohol to drunken customers. Historically, bartending was a profession with a low reputation. It was perceived through the lens of ethical issues and various legal constraints related to the serving of alcohol.
The pioneers of bartending as a serious profession appeared in the 19th century. “Professor” Jerry Thomas established the image of the bartender as a creative professional. Harry Johnson wrote a bartending manual and established the first bar management consulting agency.
At the turn of the 20th century, slightly less than half the bartenders in London were women, such as Ada Coleman. “Barmaids”, as they were called, were usually the daughters of tradesmen or mechanics or, occasionally, young women from the “better-born” classes who had been “thrown upon their own resources” and needed an income.
The bartending profession was generally a second occupation, used as transitional work for students to gain customer experience or to save money for university fees in few countries.
The reason for this is because bartenders in tipping countries such as Canada and the United States can make significant money from their tips. This view of bartending as a career is changing around the world, however, and bartending has become a profession by choice rather than necessity. We shall publish more in our next edition.
Updates:
* Women Scientist Scholarship: Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) 2018-19 invites applications from women scientists and technologists who are taking a break in their career. This scheme aims to encourage the selected candidates to utilise their knowledge and zeal for the benefit of society. This is being provided by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) through the KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) division. Aspirants may apply before 16th November.
* Israel Government Scholarships: Online applications are invited under Israel Government Scholarships 2019-20. 5 scholarships is for duration of 8 months , to undertake research /specialisations , from the universities which are approved by the Israeli Council for Higher Education and two short term ( summer school) scholarships for the students seeking to study Hebrew. Aspirants may apply on or before 30th November.
* Ranjan K Baruah wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer is a career mentor, skill trainer, academic consultant and strategic planner and can be reached at bkranjan(AT)gmail(DOT)com for any career related queries
This article was posted on November 15, 2018.
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