Bartenders, waitstaff undergo Chivas seminar

To enhance the services provided by the CNMI’s bartenders and wait staff, the Northern Marianas Bartenders Association hosted a training seminar Tuesday that focused on premium liquor brand Chivas Regal.

The seminar, which drew some 68 bartenders and wait staff from various bars and hotels around the island, was held at the Aqua Resort Club, and presented participants with useful information on Scotch whiskey, among others, courtesy of Chivas Regal brand ambassador Robin Johnston.

“Today I was really explaining what Scotch whiskey is, the definition of Scotch whiskey, how it’s made, and then a bit about our brands,” Johnston said. “We touched also on how single malt whiskeys are made, the steps of processing, and also how blends are made. Basically, the background information on the products.”

Johnston explained that the training will benefit everyone, from the bartenders to the customers and the bar establishments.

“A bartender, if he’s comfortable about how a product is made, what its key benefits are, and the flavors of one product against another, it helps him and helps the bar be more credible in having a knowledgeable staff, and they will be able to advise people better and give them something to understand the consumers better on what they might want,” he said.

Johnston also conducted a training seminar at DFS Galleria, citing that the establishment is “very important to us because a lot of the Japanese tourists are here and more Koreans are coming.”

John Antenocruz, managing director of TITAN Imports, which imports Chivas Regal to the islands, credited training seminars, such as the one Johnston conducted, as key in improving business on the islands.

“It’s a very important part of the business,” he said. “It helps grow the business, the spirits industry, and we feel that with colleagues like Chivas Regal, we take the first steps in improving that business.”

He said more training seminars are being planned for the future.

“We want to make sure that we bring training all the time to Guam, Saipan, and Palau and rest of the islands. We think this is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about products like Chivas Regal,” he said. “To have guests come in from Scotland is always a privilege for us to do this for the island of Saipan.”

NMBA president Lito C. Espino expressed his appreciation to the various hotels and bars for their staff participation in the seminar.

“I would like to thank the bar managers from different hotels and bar owners for sending their staff for this Chivas Regal seminar. I believe that this kind of seminar can give additional knowledge to bartenders and wait staff,” he said.