Yvonne Wairimu, an in-house mixologist at Pernod Ricards. [Photo/courtesy]Yvonne Wairimu, an in-house mixologist at Pernod Ricards —a French company that produces distilled beverages with a presence in Kenya — has been selected to represent Africa at the annual Tales of the Cocktail, a premier series of cocktail festivals.Tales of the Cocktail Festival 2017, a Cocktail Apprentice Programme (CAP) will be held in New Orleans, US. A group of apprentices will hail from 10 countries including Kenya, Greece, China, Ghana, Canada, and the Cayman Islands.Sponsored by Pernod Ricard, the programme gives 40 accomplished and up-and-coming bartenders an opportunity to learn alongside some of the world’s known experts as they work the seminars and large-scale events at Tales, New Orleans.Yvonne has worked within the local bartending industry for more than 15 years and is one of the female pioneers focused on raising Nairobi resident’s consumer experience. Her cocktails won her the title prize at the Professional Mixology Challenge 2012.Since then, she has gone on to work closely with a selection of international bartenders coming to Kenya as well travelling to Sweden — the home of Absolut Vodka— developing her skillset under the tutelage of the master distillers.Renee Kamau, Jameson Brand Manager, East Africa says over the years, Pernod Ricard Kenya has been at the forefront of raising the bar within the art of mixology by offering local bartenders a platform to showcase their craft and creativity.“We are thrilled that Yvonne will be representing not only Kenyan mixologists at the programme, but also putting local females firmly onto the international scene. We eagerly anticipate her return to see the new innovations she will bring back to Nairobi,” he says.Since 2008, more than 250 apprentices have gained extensive experience working and managing large-scale, high-volume events while providing an invaluable service to Tales of the Cocktail and the industry.The event continues to support the growing fraternity of past apprentices by offering exclusive opportunities for scholarships and financial aid to further support them.

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