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 Message 11539 of 39187 in General Discussion
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Subject: Re: Garnishes
From: GCLax30
Posted: Mon Mar 17. 2003, 22:53 UTC
Followup to: "Re: Garnishes"  by the good drink doctor  (Fri Mar 14. 2003, 05:04 UTC)
> > Hey all,
> > 
> > I'm a waiter that doesn't know a whole lot about cocktails. I just 
> > 
> > got hired at a local restaurant that prides itself on its bar, and 
> > 
> > the bartenders sure know it! I need an easy way (if there is one:) to 
> > 
> > remember what kinds of garnishes go on the various drinks we serve 
> > 
> > like limes, lemons, cherries, pineapple, stirrers, etc. I hate asking 
> > 
> > the bartenders because they have nothing to offer but attitudes! Any 
> > 
> > help would be much appreciated, thanks!
> 
> It is so good to see a willingness to learn.  Stop in on say a 
> s-l-o-w Monday afternoon shift and ask to "follow" the scheduled 
> bartender so that proper glassware and garnish can be learned.  
> Believe me, dont be intimidated by their all knowing money making 
> efforts or "elitest attitude"  (I have bartended a long time and 
> worked everthing before that, busser included, so I udnerstand)  
> Forget attitudes.   Ask for their help on how to garnish and I am 
> sure they will be happy to show you.  What to cut, how to cut and how 
> to put together with a little sword, and why too.  But keep in mind 
> this is during the slowest time for them and respect it.  It goes a 
> long way.  You are off to a good start.  The more you learn with a 
> positive attitude the farther you will go.  I've seen it happen.  (I 
> started out as a busser and am now a general manager of the same 
> restaurant)
> 
> the good drink doctor


Thanks for the advice, I will definitely take it! Actually I was in the other 
night and my customer ordered a cosmo, so I figured I would take the 
initiative and put a lime wedge on it...only the bartender corrected me and 
told me to put a lemon twist in it. Sure, I said. No problem. So I proceeded 
to fight with the lemon to get the slice of peel off because I had no idea 
what I was doing...he was cool and laughed for a sec and then helped me out. 
He's one of the few nice ones! 

Now you seem like a pretty reasonable guy that has been in the trenches and 
knows the biz...can you tell me what it takes just to get started in the 
bartending world? I'm not talking about getting a job at the hot new dance 
club where you make $600 per shift. I just want a simple, entry level 
bartending job where I can learn the basics of being a GOOD bartender. I don't 
care about the money. I think bartending is fascinating and I just want to 
learn it. I've been investigating it for nearly a year and as someone with no 
experience, I decided to go into waitstaff first. And believe me, I LOVE it. I 
really do. I'm getting experience with different drinks and upselling the top 
shelf liquors, garnishes:), etc. and the people are just really cool to meet 
and chat with. But bartending seems like one of those situations where no one 
will hire you unless you have experience....so you reply well how am I 
supposed to get that experience if you won't hire me? and round and round you 
go...would you suggest starting with private parties for friends just to build 
experience? or do common franchise restaurants hire fresh off the wagon 
bartenders? are the certification courses worth the money, especially the ones 
offering job placement help? Anything you can suggest would be much 
appreciated. Thanks!


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