Julian Bella Robins
Representing: Israel
"Level Up" is a scalable, cocktail-inspired initiative that empowers bartenders, enhances their skills, and builds a stronger, more resilient hospitality community by providing professional development and community building to create a sustainable impact.
LevelUp is a scalable, cocktail-inspired initiative designed to support the growth, longevity, and resilience of the hospitality community. By addressing the professional development needs of bartenders, LevelUp aims to create a sustainable impact that empowers bartenders to elevate their craft and enhance their careers.
LevelUp provides seminars and workshops for bartenders, by bartenders. These sessions are accessible & approachable, hosted in bars and based on topics requested by the community.
For example:
Networking
Public speaking
Social media
Personal finance management
Menu development/R&D
Mental health awareness
How to write a CV
Key Benefits:
Professional Development: Training bartenders to ensure longevity of their careers in the ever-evolving professional landscape.
Community Building: Create a supportive platform to connect, collaborate, and network; reinforcing the foundation of the local community.
Impact:
Over 350 bartenders have been introduced to the initiative.
Bartenders from over 10 cities attended seminars.
Currently 5 different bars in 3 cities are interested in hosting future LevelUp events.
Sparked discussion on education and career priorities in community WhatsApp groups.
Elevate the individual and the community, in turn leading to a more resilient industry. Sets new benchmarks for continuous education and mental health awareness.
Overcome barriers to career progression due to a lack of professional development opportunities.
Scalability & Logistics:
LevelUp is designed to be easily replicable in other cities and regions. The structure allows for customization based on local needs/resources. By partnering with local leaders it can reach and impact bartenders of all skill levels globally. To best adapt to the needs of the bartenders a survey is sent to attendees to best prepare for future events.
The LevelUp Initiative empowers bartenders, enhances their skills, and builds a stronger, more resilient hospitality community. With a clear plan for scalability and a proven track record of impact, LevelUp is poised to make a lasting difference in the lives of bartenders and the industry as a whole.
Toolkit Cocktail
Inspired by the Screwdriver, "Toolkit" is an elevated (or LevelUp'd) riff on the classic. The oranges juiced were provided by the bartenders attending, from the peeled oranges used in bars that would otherwise be discarded. Demonstrating that every aspect of our industry can and should be pushed forward, while leaving the world a slightly better place.
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Dehydrated Orange Wheel & Fresh Orange Leaf
Ice: Spear
Method: Build
Specs:
45 ml Ketel One Family-Made Vodka
120 ml Orange Cordial
Combine Ketel One Family-Made Vodka and Orange Cordial in Highball. Add ice and stir to chill and incorporate ingredients. Garnish with Orange Wheel & Leaf. Enjoy!
Orange Cordial:
1000 ml Clarified Orange Juice
250 ml Water
10 ml Orange Blossom
15 gr Citric Acid
10 gr Malic Acid
5 gr Tartaric Acid
3 gr Baking Soda
400 gr Sugar
Combine all ingredients and mix until fully incorporated/sugar is dissolved.
Clarified Orange Juice:
2000 ml Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
12 ml Pectinex
Combine 1000 ml Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice and 6 ml Pectinex in thermomix at 40C on medium-high speed for 20 min. Place 250 gr of juice in container and centrifuge at 4500 RPM at 20C for 16 min. Repeat until 1000 ml of Clarified Orange Juice is yielded. Strain through chinois to ensure no solids are added to cordial.
