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“Ben Reed is the most inspiring cocktail expert in the world. His passion and personality make cocktails accessible and fun.”
Ben Reed’s incredibly passionate and witty presentation style combined with a uniquely interactive delivery creates a hugely engaging and entertaining alternative to conventional after-dinner speaking. In demand for television and radio appearances, his ‘Bartender’s Guide to…’ series of insightful and intellectually stimulating presentation topics provides an original approach to inspiring an audience with key motivational messages.
The ‘Bartender’s Guide to…’ series of speaking topics includes:
– Psychology & personality
– Communicating with passion
– Coming to your senses
– Standing out from the crowd
– Financial mixology
“Ben Reed delivered an exceptionally entertaining and motivating 40 minute presentation to over 150 delegates. He is an incredibly passionate and inspiring individual and our senior team have already requested him to return.”
“Ben Reed is one of our most successful and popular authors. Cool Cocktails sold over 350,000 copies and has been translated into seven languages. His laid-back writing style has brought the art of the cocktail from behind the bar into people’s living rooms.”
Ben Reed has published fourteen books on the subject of cocktails. From coffee table hardbacks and books to inspire a new generation, he has written bartender guides and books with specific themes covering Hollywood films, parties, punches and much more. His books have been translated into over seven languages and are available in 25 countries.
The popularity and success of his books has contributed to strong demand for Ben’s written features, blogs and regular articles in both mainstream and industry publications. His global reach ensures a broad readership and international audience attracting both industry opinion formers and cocktail enthusiasts.
Case Study: A Bartender’s Guide
– An easy access reference book and cocktail manual used by bartenders and in the home
– Recipes and variations of classic and contemporary cocktails
– Introductory features, social commentary, vibrant images and detailed production techniques
Case Study: The Times
– Weekly column (‘Barfly’) in the Times Magazine running for 2 years
– The first contemporary cocktail column in a broadsheet newspaper
– Entertaining and insightful stories from life at the Met Bar
“Barfly provides an insight into what’s happening behind the red rope at London’s most talked about bar.”
“Ben Reed is British and demented and not necessarily in that order. He is also one of the UK’s most charismatic and munificent bartenders, you should see this man shake a cocktail!”
There is glamour, sophistication and a real buzz around the cocktail lifestyle. From old school cocktail lounges to edgy urban hang-out bars, it’s an exciting world of impeccably made drinks, cutting edge design and genuine, un-manufactured atmosphere.
It’s also a world full of characters and Ben Reed has been at the heart of it for over 20 years. A masterclass, workshop or team building event with Ben Reed provides VIP access to the eclectic, progressive and stimulating world of a Global Cocktail Ambassador. Combining his world-renowned passion for the ‘art of the cocktail’ with a ‘behind-the-bar-scenes’ insight into the global cocktail lifestyle; he brings this intriguing and sometimes, deviant world to life through anecdotes and stories about the real characters that he meets on his travels on both sides of the bar.
Event formats include:
Social Mixology
Bar tour
Global spirits tasting
Bartender Academy
Mixologist’s table
Bar opening
The view from the bar
Case Study: Apple, Babington House
– 2 hour interactive session for 30 senior execs
– Topics included the science of the Mojito and the four ‘T’s of the Martini
– Combination of great cocktail stories and hands-on cocktail making
> Team activity that increased connection
> Learned a new skill
> Relaxation and great fun with colleagues
“One of the best team building events I have ever been on.”
“The guy was extraordinary. He entertained us like no one else. The magic happened.”
“No one else can inspire knowledge and understanding in the world of cocktails like he can. If you’re looking for liquid inspiration, he’s your man.”
Ben Reed has trained over 15000 bartenders in 20 countries. As one of the original pioneers who revolutionised the UK drinks scene, Ben has the combination of depth of experience and outstanding people skills enabling him to communicate knowledge in a uniquely inspiring way. His professional bartender training programmes and bespoke courses are acknowledged globally as being leaders in the field that have set the benchmark for the industry standard across all sectors of the bar world.
Case Study: Havana Club Greece
– 10 Cities and 16 tailored training events across Greece
– 450+ top bartenders equipped with new skills
– Unique 4 module room rotation system
> Inspirational delivery to ignite the passion
> Interactive presentation to deepen the emotional connection
> 4 step ‘Rum Perfection’ programme to build base knowledge
“The most inspiring day of learning anywhere on earth,”
Case Study: Barworks
– Designed 3 tiered cocktail and spirits training programme
– Included masterclasses, tutored tastings, written assessments and inter-bar competition
– Built in-house training capability
> Revitalized a cocktail culture within a 14 bar portfolio
> All staff trained to a high level of competency
> Increased contribution of cocktail sales from 3 to 11%
“Ben has single handedly reinvigorated my staff’s passion for cocktails and given them the confidence not just to make them, but to sell them. He has also been a massive source of inspiration for me personally.”
Case Study: Intercontinental Hong Kong
– Created new cocktail offering across all 4 bars (incl. Alain Ducasse’s Spoon and Nobu)
– Designed 9 bespoke and uniquely tailored signature cocktails
– Trained all staff in global techniques, new trends and service levels
> Cocktail GP +6%; sales increase +7%
> Speed of beverage service increased
> Significant gains in consumer perception, purchase of signature cocktails and staff knowledge
“Ben Reed has transformed our cocktail offering introducing a new level of sophistication, perfection and service across each of our bars within our 5 star hotel.”
“Ben combines outstanding people skills with a depth of knowledge and experience to communicate in a uniquely inspiring way.”
Ben Reed makes people believe in your brand. As one of the original leading lights in the generation that defined UK bar culture, he now sits at the forefront of the global cocktail community and is recognised internationally as a spirits expert and passionate spokesperson for cocktails.
From running the groundbreaking Met Bar in the mid 90’s to setting up London’s first cocktail consultancy in 2000; his 14 books have sold over a million copies in twenty five countries and he makes regular TV appearances including presenting a thirteen episode series for the BBC. His weekly column featured in the Times Magazine for two years and he has written for the Guardian, Vogue and GQ.
As a Global Cocktail Ambassador, Ben utilises over 20 years of industry leading experience and an unrivalled international network to endorse, develop, innovate and launch brands as well as provide commercial, sales and marketing consultancy to large companies, prestigious bar operators and new entrants to the industry.
Case Study: Absolut
– Delivered 25 ‘akademis’ over 2 years in Åhus, Sweden
– Hosted 600 industry leaders from around the world
– Series of pioneering talks, workshops, tastings and tours
> Increased Absolut brand relevance amongst key opinion formers
> Step changed positive brand perception amongst 98% of attendees
> Delivered new listings and range increases across global markets
“Ben Reed has inspired the new generation of leading bartenders globally for the Absolut brand.”
Case Study: Appleton Rum
– Created innovative ‘Rum Road Show’ for the UK market
– Developed the Appleton Rum Bartenders Competition
– Delivered photo shoots, media, signature cocktails and brand consultancy
> Positioned Appleton as the most credible and innovative rum brand in the UK
> Cocktail competition rated no. 1 ‘most respected’ amongst bartenders
> Brand becomes the most stocked rum brand in UK Tiki bars
“Ben Reed pioneered an entirely new approach to engaging customers and consumers that delivered exceptional results.”
