AFRICA'S BAR INDUSTRY TAKES CENTRE-STAGE WITH WORLD CLASS WIN
nterviewee: Kelvin Thairu
Kenya’s 2021 World Class Winner, Kelvin Thairu, tells us about his journey to the top and how his success has put African Bartenders on the World Stage.
Now Head of Bar at Hero, a Trademark & Tribe Hotel bar in Nairobi and ranked one of the 50 best bars in the world, Kelvin tells us all about his journey into bartending, how World Class has changed his life and the importance of failure in your career.
When did you first know you wanted to be a bartender?
I first knew I wanted to be a bartender back in 2011 when I was working as a bar back. I loved how bartenders used to explore their creativity without limitation, creating great drinks and providing memorable experiences.
From a customer service point-of-view, there’s something powerful about being able to change someone’s day or night for the better.
It's often said that we are psychologists. We are friendly and outgoing and always here to listen.
How has the World Class Championships changed your life? Are you famous or Insta-famous now?
Winning World Class changed my life greatly in both knowledge and exposure in the industry. It's motivating knowing people love and enjoy what you offer. I highly recommend all bartenders to take up World Class competition as it pushes you to constantly improve and up your game.
I competed at World Class for five years consecutively before emerging a winner. Through those early failures, World Class enabled me to grow, to come back stronger and fight harder.
But for me, it’s now become bigger than just the win. I want to inspire the future generations of bartenders, to hold themselves to a higher standard, so they can also inspire those around them.
What is it like to work in one of the top-rated bars in the world?
Working at Hero is a dream come true; we specialize in cocktail creation, a rare offering in our country. Hero has given my team a platform to showcaseKenyan mixology and what East Africa has to offer when it comes to the experience of great mixed drinks.
It’s only the start, however. I would love to see another bar listed soon.For when one of us grows, we all should.
What would you say to fellow young aspiring bartenders in Kenya our home country?
‘Nothing changes if nothing changes’
We need to change the old mentality of being behind the bar and embrace bartending as a profession and not a job.
When I changed my mentality about bartending that's when things started to change for the better.
Stay true to yourself, respect yourself, respect your place of work, go in each day wanting todo better than the last. Patience and commitment are is key. It's rare that things happen without hard work, dedication, and respect.
Is there a specific mix cocktail creation or bar technique that you're famous for?
What I can say is that we (at Hero) do not have a limit of what we can do or create behind the bar. We also don't limit ourselves with ingredients; we believe anything can work in cocktails as long as the right techniques are applied.
We are also setting the direction for the future of Kenyan mixology; applying techniques used globally but bringing it home to Kenya and making it our own.
If you hadn't gone into bartending where would you probably do you think you would be now?
After high school I wanted to do computerized accounting however tables turned the minute I set foot in a bar, I’m now 11 years down the road. But I can say for sure I'm happy I'm not behind a computer screen right now.
Any last words of encouragement for our readers?
With sharp focus and a strong work ethic, anybody can achieve greatness.
There you have it. Some really powerful and inspiring insights from a local Kenyan, who is fast gaining international recognition for his creative mixes and respectable work ethic. We hope you found this interview refreshing and motivating.
