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Bartending 101 – Knowledge is Everything

by tacogirl 12/09/2014
written by tacogirl 12/09/2014
fermin cho’c from the belize institute of mixology

So far so good for the first day of the Introduction to Bartending 101 course from the Belize Institute of Mixology, only one minor hiccup yesterday. Which is pretty good considering at 4:00 am we got a total downpour and I lay in bed enjoying the rain and asking Chac (Maya rain god) to please make that was “our one and done” for the day. Our hiccup was a projector that worked the night before when Luis checked it decided not to work the morning of the course. Thankfully Kama Lounge came to the rescue with a working one and a makeshift AV team including Cindy and I managed to figure out how to get the image out of reverse mode.

In the 45 minutes, we learned a lot. Mr. Fermin Cho’c is a thorough teacher and very personable. He asked the students lots of questions, checked regularly that everyone was understanding and did demonstrations as he was teaching.

Fermin talked about the importance considering the bar set up from every aspect of the business from customer service to sales to set up, to the art of mixing drinks. Bartending is a serious profession and if you are good you will make a lot of money and earn the potential to work almost anywhere in the world.

Patience and professionalism are important at all times, remember you are not just slinging drinks, you are creating the experience for the customer. Bartending is more than just a job and it is not for everyone.

Professionalism – you are representing the place you work as well as yourself so it is important to “ABC” – Always Be Classy at work.
Personality and Friendliness – A good bartender is always personable and polite.
Honesty – Is still and always will be the best policy. It is also a great way to get glowing recommendations and a solid reputation.
Punctuality – Being on time is important to keeping work a well-running machine.
Good personal appearance and cleanliness – Caring about your appearance shows and will take you farther in the bartending world.
Teamwork and Communication – To do a good job as a bartender, it is important to communicate well and be a team player at work.
Personal Control – Maintaining dignity and keeping calm in stressful situations is important, so is not ‘losing control’ drinking.
Personal Development – Always keep learning and growing in your job, this will increase your good reputation and your tips.

The message was clear, be proud of the bar in which you work not only when you are there but also when you are off duty. In addition to all the positive things, there was a good list of what not to do such as never argue with a customer, gossip or talk about a customer’s last visit unless they bring it up.

Day 1 of the 5-day mixology course was very thorough and Fermin made learning fun. He embodies all the qualities of a 5 star Jedi bartender 🙂

I will leave you with Cindy’s take coming from the perspective of already being a well-known bartender and a few pictures of the course, our lunch at Palapa Bar and a flair demonstration.

I initially thought that this was a fun idea fun idea to do but probably a moot point seeing as I’ve been bartending for quite a few years. However, since getting pregnant in 2012 I haven’t worked behind a bar at all and then got to thinking that this course was a really good idea, not just for personal improvement but also as I have an involvement with 3 different establishments that could probably do with a little tweaking too!

So far so good, really worth it from all standpoints. Fermin is a fountain of knowledge and loves to share. Apparently, by the end of the course, I will be throwing bottles all over the bar!

A favorite phrase so far: if you have time to lean, you have time to clean.

I will leave you with a slideshow of the day’s events.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Last Call for Alcohol Belize Bartending Course
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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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