I’m attaching the press release for BarSmarts below. I took the BarSmarts Wired course a few months back, and while it was review for me, I think it should be mandatory for all new bartenders. I’m hoping to get up to Seattle for BarSmarts Advanced this April. If so, maybe I’ll see some of you up there.

PERNOD RICARD USA® EXPANDS REPUTABLE BARSMARTS PROGRAM TO ADDITIONAL MARKETS

– BarSmarts ADVANCED Bartender Education Program Set To Hit Seattle, Washington DC, Orlando And New Orleans This Spring —

New York, N.Y., (February 10, 2010) – Pernod Ricard USA®, a leading producer, importer and marketer of prized spirits and wine brands in the United States, and BAR, LLC announce the spring 2010 schedule for their highly regarded BarSmarts ADVANCED, bartender training, education and certification program. Beginning in April, BarSmarts ADVANCED will travel to Seattle, Washington DC, Orlando and New Orleans reaching  an entirely new group of bartending enthusiasts eager to learn the profession and industry professionals looking to sharpen their skills.

BarSmarts ADVANCED targets bartender protégés in major markets who are committed to the profession of bartending. It is delivered to a select audience in these markets through an exclusive BarSmarts ADVANCED Kit that includes a selection of DVDs, a workbook, mixology equipment (where legal) and sample certification tests. The program culminates with BarSmarts LIVE! – a full day program of instruction, education, mixology, testing, and formal certification for the program’s top performers in each market. The event is hosted by the esteemed BAR, LLC partners who include world renowned mixologists Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Doug Frost, F. Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour and David Wondrich.

“Our BarSmarts Bartender Education Program continues to deliver results and gain momentum since we rolled out the first BarSmarts ADVANCED program in New York in the fall of 2008,” said Suzanne Freedman, Director On-Premise & BarSmarts for Pernod Ricard USA. “To date, our groundbreaking, hands-on program has trained more than 1,000 bartender candidates and is helping set a new standard of excellence within the profession. We look forward to bringing BarSmarts ADVANCED to Seattle, Washington DC, Orlando and New Orleans this spring helping a whole new group of participants learn the craft and impact the bartending profession in their markets as they pursue their careers.”

The Spring 2010 BarSmarts LIVE schedule is as follows:

  • Seattle, WA – April 27
  • Washington DC – April 29
  • Orlando, FL – May 10
  • New Orleans, LA – May 12

In response to widespread praise for BarSmarts ADVANCED, Pernod Ricard USA and BAR, LLC, in August 2009, launched BarSmarts WIRED, the 100% online version of BarSmarts. Whereas ADVANCED selects participants by invitation only, BarSmarts WIRED offers any bartender with interest in the craft an opportunity to participate and become certified through a web-based platform offered twice a year in two month intervals. The second ‘wave’ of BarSmarts WIRED will be open to interested candidates from March 1 – April 30, 2010.

BarSmarts has been designed exclusively for Pernod Ricard USA by BAR, LLC, a partnership of six highly respected spirits authorities/educators in the U.S. including Dale DeGroff, Steve Olson, Doug Frost, F. Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour and David Wondrich.

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About Pernod Ricard USA

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA.  In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group.

In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA’s leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Martell® Cognac, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior wines as Jacob’s Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® wines.

The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 employees across the country.

Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

About BAR LLC

Begun in 2005, Beverage Alcohol Resource, LLC was established by beverage alcohol industry authors/journalists/consultants/educators Dale DeGroff, Doug Frost, Steve Olson, F. Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour and David Wondrich to introduce a new higher standard of spirits and mixology training. In 2007, BAR was honored as the “Industry Innovator of the Year – 2007” at the annual Cheers Conference for their innovative approaches to teaching all levels of spirits and cocktail education. BAR’s 5-Day Certification Program, held twice a year in New York City, has risen to legendary status, just after three years. Their roster of graduates from this single program is a “who’s who” of celebrity bartenders, mixologists and spirits experts.