> Regarding self-study, what's your best recommendation?
Hit a barnes and noble, pick out a single book that has a pretty large opening
section before the drink recipes. Almost all of the books are set up the
same, with a section that defines the tools, garnishes, techniques, etc.,
followed by a couple hundred pages of recipes.
Read the opening material a few times over a few weeks. Then, determine the
type of place you want to work and the type of drinks served there. Start
learning those recipes. It also pays off to buy a few of the tools and some
bottles (empty is fine). Just try practicing with making drinks, this will
give you the feeling for the tools.
This gives you a working knowledge of the basic tools and a few drinks. From
here, start talking to bartenders to learn more and get the questions answered.
Sorry to be nosey, you say you're retiring from your field? What have you
been doing? Where do you live?
--
Cody