Africa’s First Bartender Reality Show Kicks Off

The quest to find West Africa’s top bartender kicked off with auditioning of over 80 competing bartenders from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and Liberia on January 30.

According to the Co-creator of the reality show, Chioma Onyenwe of HA! HA! Media, the Barman TV is a reality series born out of the idea that Africa is in need of a platform to develop and raise respect for the craft, this we feel will have more success than attempting to enlist African bartenders to international competitions, as it does not provide a level playing field.

“We infused this serious agenda with a little bit of entertainment, nightlife and fashion and the TV show was born,” she said.

She explained that the show has attracted the interest of several respected industry greats including, Hidetsugu Ueno, who will be joining the team from Tokyo; Dale Degroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail and The Essential Cocktail, and Tom Dyer, multiple world flair champion, who will also be joining the team from London to teach flair. The show host is the experienced spirit industry professional and TV presenter, Mark Barrett.

Schedule to start screening in April this year, judges for the show include, Caesario de-Mederios (Head Judge and Show Creator); Founder AHL Marketing – a niche spirits activation agency operating in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, also a certified wine and spirits educator, Lara Rawa.