It is not every day that a masterclass takes over a bar, yet on Monday Black Panther Kampala opened its doors not for service but for mentorship as more than 30 bartenders gathered for a full-day Tanqueray Masterclass focused on skills development and professional growth.
The session was organised by Uganda Breweries Limited’s advocacy team and brought together industry trainers and brand ambassadors who guided participants through both technical and business aspects of bartending.
Led by reserve brand ambassadors Melanie Kaita and Stephen Baguma, alongside bartenders Jane Apio, Joram Mukobe, Elwin Ssesanga, and Preston Abel, the training explored core mixology principles, including consistency, presentation, and decision-making behind the bar.
Participants were introduced to key concepts such as the “serve” and the “pour”, which guide measurement and presentation standards in cocktail preparation, with emphasis placed on precision, glassware selection, garnish, and portion control.
Beyond theory, bartenders took part in practical drills where they were required to correct imbalanced cocktails, adjusting drinks that were either too strong or too sweet, reinforcing real-time problem solving skills in service environments.
The session also introduced advanced techniques such as fat washing and rice washing, methods used to enhance flavour and texture in spirits, which drew strong interest from participants.
“I’ve already learned a lot today. There were discoveries like fat washing and rice washing, those are fascinating techniques,” said Prossy Sakubona, one of the participants who has worked as a bartender for three years and also previously as a barista.
Trainer Jane Apio noted a strong female presence at the training, saying the engagement stood out. “It was exciting to see so many ladies show up, not just show up, but actively participate,” she said.
Uganda Breweries Limited’s Zoe Zawedde also conducted a session on personal branding, encouraging bartenders to build digital presence and use social media to grow their professional visibility and customer engagement.
In breakout exercises, participants created signature cocktails using Tanqueray No. Ten, before progressing to a high-pressure challenge that incorporated premium labels including Don Julio and Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve.
One standout participant, Ssali Nassel, built his cocktails around lemon, complemented with rosemary and mint for aroma and balance.
The final challenge pushed contestants further, requiring pairs to prepare three cocktails within two minutes. Many struggled with the strict time limit, with only a few managing to complete two drinks.
Judging the competition was Ivan Kanyesigye, a bartender at Silo 15 and a key figure behind Cocktail City, who observed that better time management and improved coordination would have significantly enhanced performance.
In a surprise twist, Kanyesigye allowed two standout female participants who had initially missed qualification to compete in the final round.
Sakubona seized the opportunity, delivering the only complete set of three cocktails within the two-minute window, finishing with seconds to spare and emerging as a standout performer of the day.
