New Addition to the BCB Education Board: Maria Gorbatschova becomes a new Member

Maria Gorbatschova, Bar Manager of Green Door Bar in Berlin, is the new member of the BCB Education Board.

© Katja Hiendlmayer 

The BCB Education Board, centered around Director of Education Angus Winchester, has already been in existence for two years. With the new member Maria Gorbatschova, Bar Manager of the Green Door Bar, the expertise and network of the Education Board has now been expanded.

For many in the German and international bar scene, she is no longer an unknown face: Maria Gorbatschova, bar manager of the Green Door Bar in Berlin. She writes for Mixology magazine, advises gastronomy businesses and companies and passes on her knowledge to the bar industry in lectures. She doesn't just practise her artistic craft and creativity behind the bar: She also designs ceramics and completed her degree in design at the University of the Arts in Berlin with a thesis on cocktail glasses. She now wants to integrate this expertise and creativity into the BCB Education Board.

Two years ago, the Education Board of Bar Convent Berlin was founded, consisting of Director of Education Angus Winchester, bar expert Eleni Nikoloulia and BCB Brand Ambassador Damien Guichard. Together they developed the diverse education programme for previous editions of BCB. This year, Maria Gorbatschova will be involved in the BCB programme as a board member for the first time. In an interview, she told us how this came about and what she hopes to achieve with her new role:

BCB: Maria, we are delighted to have you on board! How exactly did it come about that you became part of the BCB Education Board?

Maria Gorbatschova: Damien Guichard, who has long been involved with BCB as a creative mind and brand ambassador, approached me some time ago with the idea of supporting the BCB Education Board. As I am particularly interested in education and training in our industry, this was an ideal fit for me. 

BCB: What are your hopes for your new role on the BCB Education Board?

Maria: I love our community, there are few industries with as much love and passion as hospitality. At the same time, our industry is far from perfect. How could we design a better hospitality of the future? This is a question I would like to work on in the context of the BCB Education Programme.

BCB: What topics are you most interested in, or would you like to contribute to the BCB programme?

Maria: I am particularly interested in everything apart from the classic bar topics. How do I lead a team efficiently? How do tasting and smelling work in theory? How can I integrate artificial intelligence into my work in a meaningful way? How do I create a sustainable, long-term profitable business? What can I learn from failed concepts? There are so many topics that are important but often overlooked.

BCB: In which areas would you like to see more training in the bar scene?

Maria: We are rightly very concerned with drinks, techniques and spirits. But as colleagues and managers, we should also learn soft skills, leadership and teamwork. Unfortunately, further training in these areas is rare in our industry. 

BCB: Thank you very much, Maria. We are already very excited about this year's BCB programme!