HOSPITALITY CONSULTING
About Kurtis
After successfully graduating from his Architecture Degree, Kurtis was able to focus on what had become his main focus and passion - bartending. Working in Sydney between 2009-2014, it wasn’t until early 2014 that he went to work for the newly formed Public House Management Group. Over the subsequent period up until 2018 he was a part of the opening team at five of the venues looking after the on-premise operations as the Group Bars Manager. The position saw him take the lead in the drinks program as well as being across the marketing, operations and general day to day running of the venues (The Four In Hand, The Buena, The Collaroy, The Woollahra, The Royal in Paddington, Narellan Hotel, Bar Moncur as well as restaurants Bistro Moncur & Moncur Mosman)
A substantial part of his role is to be a Creative Director for the group, utilising his keen eye for detail, innovating and rejuvenating the possibilities of what a bar space can be. The role also takes an in-depth look at the customer experience and how it can be improved, at every venue. Looking at the day-to-day work, Kurtis spends a lot of time training and instructing staff on product knowledge, cocktail assembly, hospitality & general work performance, venue presentation and of course, ensuring the best standard of drinks, are being presented for consumption at each venue.
In 2018, Kurtis has been featured on the cover of Australian Bartender Magazine, has been a part of activations around Australia, collaborated and launch a Gin with Manly Spirits co and most importantly started the CBK Hospitality Consulting company as a way to pass on the knowledge he has gained over the years, and as a way to further immerse himself into the culture that the bar scene has created!
Industry Recognition
Kurtis has won a number of awards through his career including the 2015 AHA Cocktail Bartender of The Year; 2016 National Front of House Employee of the Year; 2016 AHA Bartender of the Year, 2017 AHA National Front of House Employee of the Year, Nominated for ALIA 2017 Bar Manager of the Year, Nomated Drinks World Magazine T25 2017/18 and also apart of the 2018 Food Service 30 under 30 which recognizes 30 exceptional individuals in the industry under 30 years of age.
Cocktail Competitions
National Finalist in Cocktail Competitions including Stoli Elit Art of the Martini, Patron Perfectionist, Bacardi Legacy, La Maison Cointreau, VDKA6100 Drinks with De Niro and NSW Monin Cup.
Winner of the Southern Tales Cocktail Competition, Sydney Cider Cocktail Competition, Australian Champions at the 42Below Cocktail Earth Cup and Bitters Reality Cocktail Competition and The Perfect Blend National Competition.
Other
Kurtis has also successfully starting up an Instagram account @cocktailsbykurtis with over 45,000 followers, is a current member of the Ministry of Talent, the sole Australian representative in the International Bar.Wit Program, featured regularly in industry magazines including BarFly, Australian Bartender, DrinksWorld, The Daily Telegraph and PreShift Hospitality (based in Florida USA) and has written articles for Drinks Trade and drinks World Magazine.