Message in a bottle

CAMBUZZ

Christ University is all set to churn out the first batch of students pursuing a one-year Diploma in Wine Studies at the University. It has tied up the wine division of United Breweries (UB) Group — United Vintners — for the course. So, will we now have a new lot of students who will be experts when it comes to wine tasting, marketing, branding and packaging?

Does this also indicate that a whole bandwagon of youngsters are gradually turning away from conventional careers?

V Jaykumar, from the Department of Hotel Management at Christ University, says: “To educate students about the field of mixology, the University started to offer a certificate course in bartending in 2008.”

A course that has classes spread over 45 hours, the curriculum on wine studies introduces students to basics in bartending and mixology.

Science and skills

“We have received a positive response from students, with many signing up for the course. Being an educational institution, the course does have its limitations, but its purpose is to educate students about the industry and that one needs to be responsible in such a profession,” explains Jaykumar.

With the growth in the hospitality industry, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns and with the emergence of increasingly aware, well-travelled and sophisticated consumers, there is a rising need for qualified beverage professionals. As a result, many academies mushrooming in Bangalore are offering certified courses in bartending. One such institute is the Tulleeho Bartending Academy.

Manager Rohan Kuttappa says, “Although Indian society is still conservative when it comes to this profession, it needs to be taken seriously. People don’t realise that mixology is a skill and a science. The bartender needs to understand his clients, offer them drinks accordingly and also be responsible in order to advice customers if they are drinking more than necessary.”

According to Anirudh Mandelia (28), a professional in the hospitality industry, “A mixology course enhances one’s skills and helps you professionally if you are keen on a career in the hospitality industry.” S K Sanjit Kumar (22), who is doing a bartending course and working at a lounge bar in the City, says: “What I like about the field is that it is open to innovation. There is so much to learn. Moreover, you get to meet different people every day.” For Sanjith, it was an easy ride as his parents supported him.

But Jaykumar says, “Many parents are still apprehensive of such a career option. For the course at Christ University, we have made it mandatory for students to get a written note from their parents, granting them permission to pursue the course. Besides, they need to be above 18 years to sign up for the diploma programme.”  There has been an a considerable increase in youngsters interested in the field in the past two years. Explains Kuttappa.

“It just goes to show that youngsters are opening up to bartending as a serious career option, considering it pays well and that Bangalore has new lounges, restaurant and pubs coming up almost every other day,” he says.

However, it’s still a field dominated by men. “Not many girls seem interested. As the job involves alcohol and odd working hours, girls are averse to taking up such a job. Our batches have just one or two girls out of 8-10 students,” admits Jaykumar.

The bartending industry, say the experts, needs professional who know how to make a drink, communicate well with customers, exhibit a good attitude and salesmanship qualities, and yet know when to discourage their clients from drinking when the need arises.