A new generation of passionate bartenders is emerging into cocktail competitions and bars near you. In our February edition of Bartender magazine, Cara Devine interviewed five of these personalities.
Story by Cara Devine. Cara is our Melbourne-based drinks writer. She is the manager of Bomba in Melbourne and the face and talent behind the cocktailing YouTube channel Behind the Bar. You can email her at behindthebarchannel@gmail.com
From globally recognised cocktail bars to cosy neighbourhood pubs, afternoon wine bar snacks to 2am seafood feasts, Australia prides ourselves on our hospitality scene. As we all well know, this industry is all about the people. After a shaky year or two of staff shortages post Covid it has been exciting to see a new generation of passionate bartenders emerge into cocktail competitions and bars near you. Even better, they are shaking off the stereotypes of bartending and doing things their own way. Here I chat with Jac Landmark.
Jac Landmark
Bar Supervisor, Frisk Small Bar, Perth WA
@frisksmallbar
Landmark was drawn to the hospitality industry as an opportunity to uplift others and offer them a moment of connection in our otherwise busy lives. “I was always inspired by the customer service workers who had the power to change my mood or make my day within short interactions, and I wanted to have that ability as well,” Jac said. They won an internship at Bar High Five in Tokyo, where they worked under Hidetsugu Ueno and Kaori Kurakami, and learned about a completely different style of hospitality than what we commonly see in Australia.
What do you see as opportunities for growth?
I think my biggest opportunity for growth is through networking. I’ve met some incredible people over the past few months who’ve offered me selfless support and been a wealth of knowledge for me to learn from. In five years, I would like to be that selfless supporter of others. Currently, I run my own cocktail competition in Perth, known as Cocktails & Coaches, which sees rookies paired with a mentor from another venue. The rookie is tasked with creating a new drink, utilising their mentor’s skills and experience to learn new techniques themselves. Ideally, I would love to see this competition taken nationwide. To do this, I would need the support of industry leaders in each city who can encourage their rookies to enter, as well as put themselves forward as mentors, and the support of brands who would be interested in working with me to make this a reality.
“I was always inspired by the customer service workers who had the power to change my mood or make my day within short interactions, and I wanted to have that ability as well.” – Jac Landmark
What do you see as areas for improvement within the industry?
Enhancing work-life balance in the industry is essential for mental health and staff retention. Long and irregular hours can often lead to burnout, which can be resolved by providing clear communication on shifts and keeping your staff’s needs in the forefront of your mind. When employees feel respected, supported, and able to maintain a sustainable work routine, it not only enhances their mental health but also creates a sense of loyalty, which reduces turnover and ensures a more motivated, engaged and happy team.
Trend predictions for 2024?
Personally, I’m hoping to see a rise in maximalism and I want to see the disco ball cups make a comeback. Bring back the glasses that customers want to steal!
