Flair Bartender Profile: Newcomers to watch for-Zack Prohaska

Name: Zack Prohaska

Nationality: Canadian

Age: 28

Years Bartending: 6 (5 Flair)

I’ve known Zack for a few years now.  He began his training in Toronto in 2004.  Soon after, he moved to Osaka Japan where he worked for Sam and Daves and took his flair to the next level.

Zack is back in Toronto now training harder than ever, and plans to make a splash in the Pro Tour in 2010.

I had a chance to sit down with Zack at SuperFlair 2009.  Here’s my interview with Zack Prohaska.

Q-When did you get into flair bartending?

A-I started getting into flair about five and a half years ago.

Q-Did you go to a Bartending school? And did you have a Mentor?

A-I heard an advertisement on the radio for the Movers’N’Shakers, and BartenderOne which is a bartending school in Toronto.  There was a class taught by Gavin MacMillan.  My Mentors would be all of my teachers. Gavin MacMillan, Matt Jones, Chris Cooper, and Koji from Japan.

Q-Where can people see you in action?

A-I’m working at the Loose Moose in Toronto Canada.

Q- To date, what is your favourite flair bartending moment?

A-So far, it would have to be winning the Suma Beach Flair competition in Japan in 2008.

Q-To date, what is your least favourite flair moment?

A-I was practicing an exhibition flair routine at work with a Bols Blue Curacao bottle and had an unexpected rooster tail fly all over a guests face and shirt…Awesome.

Q-What are some of your goals for the future?

A-I plan to make a run in the Pro Tour in 2010. Also, I would love to grow the sport of flair in Canada.

Q-Other than yourself, who is your favourite flair bartender?

A-Hmm, tough one. I like so many, but I’ll go with Rodrigo Delpech.

Q-Do you have a signature cocktail?

A-My fav drink to make is a Long Island Iced Tea, cause there’s so many different bottles to flip.

Q-What is your least favourite cocktail?

A-Easily the Boilermaker.

Q-What is your favourite flair bar?

A-The Loose Moose! Next to that would be Kahunaville in Vegas.

Thanks to Zack for taking the time to do this interview.

Good luck in 2010. Watch out Pro tour!