Jarred Craven, CSS
Jarred Craven, CSS, hails from south Florida. He worked his way through the University of Florida—where he studied history and anthropology—by bartending. After graduation, he did museum work in Romania for a time, but discovered it just wasn’t for him, so he returned to the world of bartending. After exploring several options, he settled in Austin, Texas, where until recently he was the bartender at popular, hospitality-driven cocktail spot named Drink Well. Not long ago, he won an IBA competition for America and was able to represent the United States in a global competition in China, which, in his words, proved to be “a very interesting and educational experience to be around so many other competitors and perspectives from around the world.”
Jarred has spent some 20 years bartending in craft bars, volume bars, and a multitude of other venues. Through this, he has gained a wealth of experience and skills in event planning, menu development, inventory, staffing, financial duties, and working with suppliers. Along the way he has earned a number of awards and recognitions in the beverage industry. Being heavily involved in the bartending community, both locally and at large, he actively volunteers in various ways. As Chapter Director, President, and Chair of the Education Committee with the United States Bartender’s Guild he has organized dozens of events. He is also chair of the Texas Tiki Week, and in 2019 he and his hard working committee were responsible for 21 events. Also close to his heart is work with those who are less privileged, which has led to his involvement an education initiative that aims to partner with sponsors to offset the costs of beverage certifications in order to empower underrepresented demographics in the bartending industry.
Jarred became involved with the Society of Wine Educators when, through a cocktail competition, he won a scholarship to pursue the CSS certification. He took the CSS exam in 2018, and made a perfect score on it, earning significant bragging rights!
Jarred again!
What’s next for Jarred? For starters, he hopes to study for and take the CSE exam in the near future, and continue his association with the SWE. He loves learning, but what really drives him is being around passionate people—he likes helping others succeed and in doing so, has discovered that being around people who are passionate about the industry has the added benefit of helping him recharge his own professional batteries. Jarred has big plans for the future, including a 2020 move to the Los Angeles area after a decade in Austin, Texas. Once in LA, he hopes to redirect his professional career a bit and become a brand ambassador, hopefully for American whiskey.
In Jarred’s words, “I am immensely passionate about the service industry. To be in a position to nurture it and guide those in it through education and community outreach is always an honor. I love learning, seeing old friends, and most of all making new ones. I am about people, on both sides of the bar. That’s what I love about this industry. Even when things are difficult, the people make it all worthwhile.”
Guest post written by Reverend Paul Bailey
If you are a SWE certificate holder and would like to be featured in our “On the Radar” series, please contact our Director of Education and Certification, Jane A. Nickles: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org