BarSmarts, the industry-leading bartender education program provides comprehensive, engaging and results-driven instruction. We asked Kevin Denton Rex, Head of Mixology & Education, Pernod Ricard, how will bartenders benefit by completing BarSmarts?

Tell us about PRUSA and your commitment to the BarSmarts Program. 

The people who have been involved in the BarSmarts program throughout its tenure are folks I admire personally and professionally. They are all passionate educators and advocates for the industry we all love. It has been the most important achievement in my career to shepherd this program into its new iteration. I sincerely hope it outlives us all and continues to evolve over time to meet the needs of bartenders around the world.

Why is this program so important to bartender advancement? 

I believe the entire industry benefits from codifying fundamental skills. There are tons of amazing places to learn how to make and serve drinks. BarSmarts has a big reach, so I wanted to ensure that our program was providing accurate but approachable instruction for all types of folks who wanted to learn more about the craft.

Why is bartender advancement important?

Everyone’s journey is going to be different. For some, bartending is a means to an end, and that’s so fine. For others, it’s a lifelong passion that can really define you as a human. And then there’s everything in between. Maybe less than “bartender advancement” and more “personal growth” is important because it keeps the mind engaged and makes us all more curious and empathetic individuals.

What are some things that bartenders might not know about the program?

There are loads of tools for owners and managers built into the BarSmarts program. If you’d like to sign up your entire team, click the “Staff Certified” tab on the website to apply. As an admin, you’ll be able to track the progress of your team, post jobs on the job board, and utilize modules for pre-shift discussion topics. There are loads of resources stuffed in every nook and cranny- all you have to do is explore the website!