In Singapore, the food and beverage industry plays a significant role in people's lives. As many Singaporeans work long hours, dining out is necessary and a form of relaxation and enjoyment.
In 2022, the food and beverage industry employed an additional 14.7 thousand staff in the field, which indicates the industry's ongoing demand. In 2023, the industry continued to grow and develop as customer demands drove new trends, such as the increase in pop-up and collaborative dining experiences. These temporary dining events involved collaborating with other businesses to create unique dining experiences that offered multi-course tasting menus.
Singapore's bar scene also reflects innovation, creativity, and vibrancy. In 2023, Singapore hosted the World’s Fifty Best Bar event for the first time. Eleven bars were included in Asia's top fifty list of best bars.
With the increased popularity and demand in both areas (food and bars), it is an exciting time to work in Singapore's food and beverage industry, particularly in Singaporean bars.
Three things that make working in bars exciting.
Innovation and competition at TMC Academy Singapore Bar-Tender Course
Post the World’s Fifty Best Bar event in November 2023, bars continually strive to differentiate themselves and provide patrons with innovative ideas and drinks, making it an excellent time for staff to demonstrate their creativity and innovative ideas.
Labour Shortage
One of the challenges many bar and food establishments face is the staff shortage. This means there are opportunities for staff with excellent people skills who enjoy the hospitality industry to gain experiences often unavailable in tight employment markets.
Quality and Creativity.
As mentioned, this is an opportune time for bar staff to demonstrate their creativity and innovative skills. However, it isn’t just about creativity; it is also about ensuring the quality of the drinks served is consistent and of a high standard to ensure patrons keep returning.
At a time when there is competition for quality employment opportunities, three things count:
Personal attributes such as the ability to communicate and work collaboratively in a busy team environment.
Previous experience and roles; and
Academic qualifications. This is where TMC Academy Singapore can support students.
TMC Academy supports students in the food and beverage industry
TMC Academy Singapore Bar-Tender Course supports students in the food and beverage industry in different ways. One is through their hospitality and tourism courses.
Another way is through the short course – Alcohol Beverage Preparation.
This course is designed for people with a couple of years of experience in the food and beverage industry who wish to focus their careers on bartending. It consists of three learning Units that, like all TMC courses, emphasise the importance of knowledge and practical skills. This means there is an integration of learning and practical activities, such as bar equipment and tools.
Students new to the food and beverage industry can also enrol in this course; however, it is recommended that students wishing to complete it have some industry experience because the learning activities that students need to participate in require some understanding and experience of the industry.
The Certificate of Completion is awarded through TMC Academy.
How does the Alcohol Beverage Preparation Course assist me?
Many students work in Singapore's food and beverage industry while completing their studies. Completing this short course provides more variety in the industry roles a student can apply for.
However, it isn’t just the variety of roles a student may apply for. Working in Bars provides students with a better balance between their study and work commitments.
Some students also find their vocation working in bars. For example, Sasha started bartending part-time while she was completing her diploma as a way of earning extra money. She loved the creative space of the bar and interacting with people, so after graduating, she continued bartending full-time.
In 2018, Cedric was the Head Bartender at Manhattan Singapore. He had been a waiter at Basilico and didn’t know anything about bartending. He had a chance to join the team when Manhattan opened and has been learning bartending skills ever since.
Yana, was a barista at Atlas Singapore and was inspired to switch to bartending after watching the bar team. She is now the Head Bartender at Atlas and one of several young women making their mark in Singapore’s Bar scene.
Sasha, Cedric, and Yana provide three examples of how people take up bartending and the possibilities open to people in this industry. From working part-time while studying, waiting at tables, being a barista, and being the head bartender, all three show what is possible when people's skills, determination, willingness to study, and creativity come together.
An excellent place to start this journey is by completing the Alcohol Beverage Preparation short course through TMC Academy.