A group of 10 F&B experts, bartenders, beverage suppliers and training experts in the UAE have come together to help further develop the country’s bar and beverage sector.
Under the banner of the UAE Beverage Society (UAEBS), this group aims to lead the way “towards a more prosperous future for the bar and beverage industry within our parts of the world”, said Felix Hartmann, assistant F&B manager, Mina A’Salam & Souk in Dubai and one of the founding members of UAEBS.
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Hartmann explained: “Since there is a long road to follow, we have decided to put this project in the capable hands of colleagues and key people from the UAE bar industry who have proven over the last few years their obligation and drive to bring projects, competitions and brands persistently forward and speak up independently, regardless of employer, about concerns and progress of our industry”.
The move to set up UAEBS was taken after a visit to Dubai by International Bartenders Association (IBA) Europe vice president Ron Busman, which was facilitated by Fresh Express and Monin.
Busman hosted a roundtable of bartenders (see Caterer Middle East December 2010), who expressed their frustration at not being eligible for IBA membership for the UAE because of regulations regarding the establishment of associations that met IBA criteria.
The bartenders said they looked to the IBA to offer help and guidance in setting up an association and also for help with recruitment and training, which they said was sadly lacking.
The UAEBS members are:
1. Rebecca Sturt, MMI
2. Ulric Nijs, Focus Brands
3. Glenn Gabiola, Grand Hyatt Dubai
4. Nikolas Pazvadis, ZUMA
5. Felix Hartmann, Madinat Jumeirah
6. Sasha Aleksandar Milovanovic, Fresh Express
7. Dominik MJ Schachtsiek, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
8. Russel Sanchez, Buddha Bar
9. Ghaith Zedan, Fresh Express
10. Giovanni Deperagola, MMI
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