24. August 2011 9:00
Speakers of Bar Convent Berlin 2011: Wayne Collins
The internationally recognised award-winning bar trainer Wayne Collins is regarded by many within the drinks industry as one of the most knowledgeable, innovative & pioneering bartenders of today. He developed and heads up the cutting edge ‘Mixxit’ bartender training programme in the United Kingdom.
A key figure within the bar boom of 90’s London, Collins opened and worked at many high profile and award winning venues, this led to him being head hunted to become a brand ambassador and drinks stylist for various globally recognised premium spirit brands.
He is currently working for Maxxium UK Ltd. the joint venture between global drinks giants Beam Global and The Edrington Group. Wayne developed and heads up their cutting edge ‘Mixxit’ bartender training programme. As the Global Ambassador to the Mixxit programme he is a key brand developer for Maxxium's portfolio of premium brands, as he continuously trains and inspires bartenders throughout the world.
Wayne, what is your background? Where in the bar industry did you work so far?
In my younger years I worked on market stalls in Camden, north London selling fruit and vegetables from the age of 14, I then got the opportunity to work in a relatives pub on weekends at the age of 19 and this is where my fruitful career as a bartender started!
I worked mainly in London in many award winning venues over the years and also lived and worked in Newport Beach, California in the mid 90’s for a couple of years. Being a professional bar trainer since 2001 I have had the fantastic opportunity to also work in places like Australia, Japan, Caribbean and many parts of Europe
What will you be talking about at the Bar Convent Berlin 2011?
Myself and my esteemed colleague Andy Gemmell will take the audience on an insightful historic journey on how it was the British who inspired the World to mix drinks, and also looking at snippets of influence London in particular has had on drinking culture over the last four centuryies.
Have you been to Bar Convent Berlin before?
Yes, I have been twice, the last time in 2009 when I was presenting drinks for Beam and Bols Genever. Bar Convent Berlin is regarded now within the industry as one of the best trade shows in the world!
What are your top places in London currently to drink and to dine in?
Oh! We are really to spoilt for choice in London but my top place for drinks would be The Connaught Bar, Quo Vadis or Rules, the Hawksmoore is great for drinking and dinning out on great steak, I love the dim sum and bar at China Tang and Navajo’s does some of the best bar food in town.
It is also really exciting to see great new venues opening like Night Jar and The Whistling Shop that are really pushing the boundaries in mixology.
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Wayne Collins' and Andy Gemmel's talk “Mixxit in Berlin!: a insightful historic journey on how it was the British who inspired the World to mix drinks!" will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at DEMO BAR A on Tue 11th of October at Bar Convent Berlin. First come, first served.
More information on the "Mixxit" programme:www.mixxit.co.uk
