Imagine a job that allows you bounce from bar to bar advising on everything from cocktails to budgets to operational processes that make the place run? Sound too good to be true? Well, it isn’t. This is beverage consulting.
Whether you started as a bar back, worked your way to bartender and are looking for your next adventure, or you’re considering which field to enter after graduating, here’s everything you need to know about beverage consulting, from what the job entails to how much they get paid and what goes into a beverage consultant’s resume.
A bar consultant is hired as a third-party consultant to improve bar service or operations. You may advise owners on the beverage ingredients they need for a more diverse selection or how to manage their inventory. Other duties may include training staff in mixology or how to pour beer correctly.
What is beverage consulting?
“Historically, a consultant has been someone who was hired to basically take care of all the subtle minutia required behind a bar and do it in the most cost-effective fashion possible,” Brian Van Flandern, a beverage consultant who has worked for Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, tells Tales of the Cocktail. “Beverage consultants were brought in to put in the soda guns, find sour mix, get grenadine and Rose’s Lime Cordial—to stock the bar with all those things mixologists like to avoid.”
Today, though, the job looks entirely different. “Today’s clients have tuned in to the craft cocktail movement. They’ve tuned into the fact that people want fresh ingredients and original, innovative recipes, so they’re hiring mixologists to be their beverage consultants,” Van Flandern says.
From there, “It’s a very easy sell to transition them into [realizing that] we need to do some spirits education. Bartenders should know not only about every single spirit behind their bar, but also how to balance them, how to use spirits properly, how to use their tools properly.”
As Van Flandern explains, there are a number of different shades to the beverage consulting role. Just because the gig has evolved doesn’t mean that certain places aren’t still in need of someone to set up the basics before opening. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on current and seasonal trends, from summer cocktails to non-alcoholic beer. Beverage consulting looks different depending on the needs of individual bars and restaurants.
What is included in beverage consulting job descriptions?
Beverage consultant job descriptions differ depending on the needs of the bar that’s doing the hiring. Sometimes a job will be almost entirely wine-focused, while others will be more spirit-oriented and require craft cocktail expertise. While the specifics will vary, in general, beverage consultant job descriptions will include the following:
- Education: A list of the type of educational requirements necessary to do the job. This can range from four-year degrees through advanced master’s degrees, and even some special certificates as well.
- Experience: Most bars and restaurants will ask for something like two to five years of experience. Sometimes that experience can include time spent working in a restaurant in a different capacity, like as a bartender or server.
- Specifications: From the ability to train a bar staff to having the availability to work nights and weekends, the skills required to carry out a beverage consultant role closely mirror other restaurant management roles.
- Responsibilities: The responsibilities for beverage consultants vary depending on the specific role, but often include the ability to create, manage and maintain bar processes, as well as manage an ongoing inventory. Soft skills are often included, like the ability to keep a positive attitude even during stressful situations.
How to Effectively Work With a Bar Consultant – MixologyTalk Podcast
FAQ
What is the role of a bar consultant?
What do beverage consultants do?
What does a food consultant do?
What is a F&B consultant?
What does a bar consultant do?
“Historically, a consultant has been someone who was hired to basically take care of all the subtle minutia required behind a bar and do it in the most cost-effective fashion possible,” Brian Van Flandern, a beverage consultant who has worked for Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, tells Tales of the Cocktail.
Should you hire a bar consultant?
Hiring a bar consultant is a good investment if you make it one. With the different kinds of services and pricing available, fortunately, every type of bar owner can find a fit. Finding the right approach and results is much more challenging, but this post should have set you on the right path to finding your next bar consultant.
How do creative bar consultants work?
Our team of creative bar consultants approach projects like a design project. We work closely with you as a client and guide you trough all the steps to take. First we start with a brainstorm with the team to hear more about the wishes, ambition and direction and extensive research on the (local) market and worldwide cocktail trends.
Who are the best restaurant and bar consulting firms?
When you want the best in restaurant and bar consulting firms, make the smart business decision with Gilkey Restaurant Consultants. Let’s increase the profitability of your bar today! Contact us to get started! Contact our restaurant marketing consultants today to get started on your brand development today!