Courtney Francis announced as IWSC's 2022 Emerging Talent Bartender Award winner

Now in its second year, and delighted by the burgeoning number of entries, the IWSC is proud to announce the winner of its 2022 Emerging Talent: Bartender Award.

Recognising the very finest talent in the bartender community, the judges were asked to lookout for individuals they felt were leading the way in creativity and trendsetting in the bar world.

Following last week’s announcement of the four shortlisted entrants, the IWSC is delighted to name Courtney Francis as the winner of this year’s award Emerging Talent: Bartender Award.

The judges were incredibly impressed by the amount Courtney has achieved in her short bartending career to date. Also, the fact that she is helping put cocktail culture on the map in Bournemouth. A natural teacher, she shares her knowledge with her team to help with their development and is passionate about wellbeing and mental health.

Courtney is Head Bartender at Ojo Rojo in Bournemouth. Still new to the industry with fewer than 2 years’ experience, she joined the trade after a career in law and has since seen her wellbeing and personal happiness improve considerably.

A massive advocate for a healthy work-life balance, Courtney is implementing more structure to her rotas, creating clarity on breaktimes for staff on shift, and out of work, developing healthier social activities for staff, in an attempt to break what is often seen as an unhealthy relationship with the workplace.

Environmental consideration is also close to Courtney’s heart and last year she launched a hospitality beach clean in Bournemouth – and she looks forward to creating more of this style of event to promote respect for the planet as a community.

With the travel bursary from the IWSC Foundation, Courtney hopes to travel to Mexico next year to progress her agave knowledge and fully immerse herself in Mezcal production.