Guinness hosts competition for bartenders

Mr Anthony Ahiave, a 32-year-old bartender of the Shaka Zulu Bar at Roman Ridge in Accra, was Thursday adjudged the best master bartender at the Master Bar Academy (MBA) competition.

He competed with four other bartenders and took home GH¢3,000, an iPad loaded with exclusive cocktail apps and a plaque as his prize.

Ebenezer Tetteh Abban of the View Bar and Grill, also in Accra, won the second position. 

20 benefits from training

In all, 20 bartenders were selected from various drinking bars in Accra.

They were equipped with knowledge and skills in excellent customer services, responsible serving and the art of making world class cocktails.

The best five of the trainees who demonstrated the great skills in preparing cocktails were selected for the competition.

The training was organised by the Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL).

The MBA training, which is Africa’s largest bartending programme run by Diageo, the parent company of GGBL, was aimed at developing the skills and knowledge of beneficiaries.

Training to unlock potential

Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the event, the Marketing Director of the GGBL, Mrs Agnes Essah, said the MBA was meant to build the capacity and “unlock the potential of bartenders” across the country.

“Once one undergoes a successful training, they receive an MBA certificate together with executive MBA merchandise that includes a special cocktail kit,” she said.

Mr Ahiave said the training had equipped him with customer service skills and how to promote responsible drinking which he believed would enable him to improve upon his service delivery.