Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) have been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes development work on their education resources in recent months…
The results of which are about to become very visible to bartenders across the UK.
Part of the project has been the creation of beautifully designed digital material that that will help bartenders explore the possibilities each of PRUK’s brands has to offer – everything from history and production methods to newly-created signature serves and flavour profiles.
BarLifeUK were able to play with this platform on an iPad, and can tell you that for both new drink creation and cocktail competition prep, it will be a brilliant tool that everyone should have. PRUK reps and ambassadors are rolling out the new digital education platform to bars they visit right now, so make sure you have a look at the demo.
The BEAT Team
You may have seen the #prukbeat hashtag popping up quite a lot on Facebook and Twitter recently, and wondered what it meant. Well, this is the human face of PRUK’s education programme – BEAT stands for Brand Education & Ambassador Team.
While we are fairly sure that in secret, Phil Huckle still refers to himself as a ‘lone wolf’, the PRUK ambassador team have been pulled together into a cohesive unit under the BEAT banner by new manager, Matt Pomeroy. This makes perfect sense as it allows for co-ordinated training which, thanks to their new digital training platform, will be entirely consistent all over the UK.
BEAT Magnificent 7 Tour
The first big, co-ordinated BEAT training push begins this month, as the BEAT team launch a ‘Magnificent 7’ tour. The team will be pitching up in seven cities across the UK over the coming months, and spending a full day with a group of local bartenders.
These sessions wont be the traditional ‘sit in a bar while someone talks at you’ format. Instead, the BEAT team have put together a programme that mixes education with competitions, practical experience and, as you would expect, cracking food and drink. Not only will you walk away with a fuller brain, you may well have bagged a spa weekend, distillery trip or night on the tiles in London.
BarLifeUK are attending the first tour event in Edinburgh next week, and shortly after will report back on proceedings. We’ll also let you know how you can win a place on the tour when it comes to your city.
Magnificent 7 Tour dates and locations:
- Edinburgh – April 28
- Manchester – June 9
- Brighton – June 29
- Liverpool – July 28
- Bristol – September 8
- Leeds – September 29th
- London – October 27
Who are PRUK BEAT?
BarLifeUK readers will likely know most, if not all, of the BEAT members. Between them, they have a world class amount of experience, air miles and hangover remedies.
We will be talking to each of them individually in the coming months about their brand, the industry in general and life on the road. In the mean time however, meet the PRUK BEAT team. You can view their bios and (mostly) good looking head shots on the PRUK BEAT website.
- Meimi Sanchez: Havana Club Ambassador
- Matthias Lataille: Olmeca and Martell Ambassador
- Ricardo Dynan: Absolut Ambassador
- Phil Huckle: Chivas Regal Ambassador
- Jonathan Sims: Mumm & Perrier-Jouët Ambassador
- Matt Pomeroy: Brand Education and Ambassador Manager