Gerd Trubenbach

After 44 years as a server/bartender, Gerd Trubenbach still enjoys making quality cocktails for an appreciative clientele.

Gerd started his career by working in some of the finest European hotels in Germany, Switzerland and France. He is fluent in English, German and French, and can speak some Italian, Hindi, Japanese and Korean.

Gerd served a three-year apprenticeship at the Hotel Alte Post in Limburg, Germany, where he received extensive training in the production of beer, wine and spirits, and in food preparation. In theory, he says, he had to know as much as a cook.

After arriving in Canada, Gerd furthered his education. He has also taken courses from Fraser Valley College, BCIT and Destination BC, studying data processing, sales and marketing, management, food and beverage control and hospitality.

Gerd has been the head bartender at Harrison Hot Springs Resort since 1970, having previously been a server at Hotel Vancouver and the Hotel Chateau Champlain in Montreal.

In 1982, Gerd became a member of the Canadian Bartenders Association, and in 1984 was a judge at the Martini Grand Prix Competition held in Victoria, BC. “When you become a member of the Canadian Bartenders Association, you can travel the world and compete,” he says. Gerd placed first prize in the Pre-Dinner and Long Drink Canadian Cocktail Competition held in Toronto in 1990, and he has also competed in cocktail competitions in Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore, Spain and the U.S.

“I would strongly recommend the tourism industry to anyone,” says Gerd, now president of the BC branch of the Canadian Bartenders Association. “Bartending is especially fun and can be quite challenging, with over 150 cocktails to offer and more being invented everyday. And if you love people and would like to compete and travel, it’s a fabulous career.