The National Drug Council (NDC) is proud to announce that four members of its Responsible Beverage Service Training team have completed extensive certification under the Cayman Smart Serve Responsible Alcohol Service programme. This initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership with the Academy of Wine & Spirits.
This important milestone enables the NDC's training team, alongside Mr. Christian Esser and his expert instructor from the Academy, to deliver responsible beverage service training that is specifically tailored to reflect the cultural context, hospitality norms, and community safety priorities of the Cayman Islands.
The Cayman Smart Serve course is designed to equip servers and sellers of alcoholic beverages with practical skills, such as checking identification, recognizing signs of intoxication, and applying responsible serving and intervention strategies. These skills are essential for protecting guests, businesses, and the wider community. Certification is valid for two years and is recognised across the hospitality industry.
Quote from Director, Brenda Watson - National Drug Council:
"The National Drug Council has long prioritised education and partnership as key components of our prevention strategy. While we have delivered responsible beverage service training for some time, formal certification through a locally-offered programme marks a significant advancement for our worker efforts. This training takes into account the unique cultural, regulatory, and community dynamics of the Cayman Islands, something that no imported programme can replicate. By having our team certified alongside Mr. Esser and the Academy of Wine & Spirits, we enhance our national capacity to support the hospitality sector, improve safety outcomes across our communities, and elevate the prestige and professionalism of our hospitality workforce."
Quote from Christian Esser - Founder, Academy of Wine & Spirits:
"This partnership represents a significant step forward in delivering world-class, certified beverage education throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. At the Academy of Wine & Spirits, we provide accredited training across various disciplines, from responsible alcohol service to beverage expertise courses. We are deeply committed to empowering local professionals. Collaborating with the National Drug Council to deliver the Cayman Smart Serve locally not only strengthens responsible service practices here in the Cayman Islands but also creates a model that can be shared with neighbouring markets as part of our broader regional education goals."
Responsible beverage service training plays a critical role in fostering responsible drinking behaviours, reducing alcohol-related harm, and enhancing compliance with local laws and community safety standards. It provides hospitality professionals with a deeper understanding of both the practical skills necessary for safe service and the broader social responsibilities inherent in their roles. This reinforces industry standards while protecting patrons and maintaining Cayman's reputation as a safe, world-class destination.
Further details on this training initiative, including new course dates, community outreach efforts, and expanded industry engagement related to Alcohol Awareness Month in April, will be shared in upcoming releases.
For more information on the National Drug Council and its activities, please visit our website at
www.ndc.ky or contact us at 949-9000.