Ami Shroff is today synonymous with bartending. 13 years in the business of flair bartending and she's still going strong.
How did her journey start? Well, she once said that she always liked the 1988 American drama movie “Cocktail” starring Tom Cruise. Maybe some inspiration came from there because that’s when she first laid eyes on the art of flair bartending.
But it was only in her second year of college that she and her friend Delnaaz decided to participate in an event and once she stood behind the bar, the feeling stuck on.
So how does one get to being a bartender? You can opt for a professional training course or start by assisting an established bartender to get some practical experience. In this industry, you can build a name over time, by exploring new ways of presenting your art. Adding various elements and creating a performance out of it helps and that’s what Ami has done over the years. She is known as a flair bartender for her tricks with fire and contact juggling.
Watch Ami doing what she does best here
Some professional bartenders get recognized after having been attached to a reputed company or bar for years.
Special bartending schools like the Flair Mania Bartending School and Academy offer specialized courses. Some hotel management schools offer short courses in mixology and bartending too. Mixology is the art of creating new drinks using different ingredients and elements. It is important to keep experimenting with new styles says Ami. For instance, learning to mix new drinks, creating new cocktail recipes are important to keep your performance alive.
In this industry, presentation matters. So create something that looks good for the audience. When asked whether being 30 matters to her, she responds, “not really, I think if you master what you do, your age shouldn’t be an obstacle!”
Hats off to Ami Shroff, one of India’s well known female bartending champs.
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