Building the future generation of bartenders through sustainability training

Creating a sustainable future through smart brewing practices

Although considered a profession with many development opportunities, in order to advance in their career, improve their skills and make positive contributions to the community, the bartending profession is gradually shifting towards practicing sustainability and being socially responsible.

To become a bartender, most students in Vietnam must undergo a long and intensive training process, including a large amount of knowledge about drinks, mixing techniques, presentation as well as practicing communication skills and understanding customer needs.

Young bartenders sharing a moment together during the BWOT program in Ho Chi Minh City

Another equally important factor that affects the public's experience and general view of the industry is sustainability.

As the impact of the beverage industry on the environment and the community becomes clearer, bartenders who prioritize sustainability can take the lead in creating a sustainable and resilient future. By reducing waste, conserving water and energy, and using ingredients sustainably, bartenders can reduce their environmental footprint while still ensuring the highest quality of their products.

In addition, the practice of reducing food loss and waste in bartending operations also emphasizes the importance of selecting ingredients based on food carbon footprint criteria, responsible service, and efficient resource management.

Training a generation of smart and responsible bartenders

In Vietnam, bartenders now have more opportunities to learn about responsible practices from a variety of global partners. Pernod Ricard Vietnam and Cambodia is pioneering in educating the bartender community.

Since 2020, Pernod Ricard has launched the Bar World of Tomorrow (BWOT) training program to train bartenders in sustainable and responsible practices. This is an integral part of the “Responsible Hospitality” pillar of Pernod Ricard’s Sustainability and Social Responsibility (S&R) roadmap. BWOT guides students on how to adopt more sustainable approaches to product use, reduce waste, and become “responsible hosts” through a new form of micro-training. This year, BWOT celebrates its 4th season in Vietnam, with more than 270 bartenders from nearly 200 stores nationwide trained since the program's inception.

The BWOT program is empowering the bartender community worldwide and ushering in a new generation of sustainability-conscious professionals. The training provides a comprehensive overview of key topics essential to the bartending and covers the essential aspects of the profession.