Bartenders Academy® Vice President Chris Cardone recently reached a new milestone when it comes to training students by certifying his 1,000 student in the responsible alcohol service program known as Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS).  Chris has been training bartenders from Montauk to Manhattan in responsible alcohol service since 2005 and has reached the 1,000 trained mark in almost exactly 3 years.  Chris teaches the TIPS program at both the Bartenders Academy of New York facitlies as well as on-premise at restaurants, nightclubs, bars, catering halls and gentlemen clubs.

Forced to retire from Long Island's Most Valuable Bartender Competition, Chris Cardone got to watch as three of his former flair bartending students (and two of his co-workers) make the Top 5. 

On March 31, 2008, the 26th Annual Long Island Bartenders and Chef's Ball was held, where the winner of this year's Most Valuable Bartender was announced.  Jesse Roenbeck was announced as this year's Most Valuable Bartender on Long Island.  Also appearing in the top 5 were Bartenders Academy's own Sean  Friedmann and Bob Grotticelli.  

After winning back-to-back awards, Chris Cardone was asked not to compete this year in order to allow new competitors the chance to taste victory.  Chris was thrilled to see that 3 of the Top 5 finalists were students of his Flair Bartending Course.  "Jesse, Sean and Bob all worked really hard at this competition and really made names for themselves.  All three really impressed me," Chris said about the three competitors.  "They all brought different styles, ideas and drinks to the compeition which shows their maturity and intelligence as competitive bartenders."