Our Instructors

Austin Gagnon

Instructor
Cellular 786-444-5364
Office 305-460-8070
Austin@Elitebartendingschool.com

Austin Gagnon started his bartending venture in Upstate New York in the spring of 2001. He was trained by a well-known bar owner, Mario Abate, in a local fast paced college bar called The Eldorado. After completing two years of college and receiving an Associate Degree in Physical Education from HVCC, Austin decided to transfer and finish out his remaining years of college in beautiful Miami, Florida.

While attending Barry University in Miami Shores, Austin put himself through college working in some of the most popular bars in South Florida including Bed, Club Deep, The Fifth, Revolution Live, and the world famous Clevelander hotel on Ocean Drive where he worked as a bartender for 6 years. Austin has also worked and staffed many sporting events and concerts including games for both the University of Miami and Miami Dolphins football teams, the Miami Marlins, the Miami Heat, and for major concerts such as Bang Music Festival, the world renowned Ultra Music Festival (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) Calle Ocho, Rock the Bells, and 2009/2010 NFL Tailgate parties for the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.

Austin graduated from Barry University in 2006, receiving a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. It was at this time that the idea of establishing an Elite bartending school in a league of its own started to take shape. Austin wanted to share the knowledge, experiences, and skills that he learned in the bar business over the years to others. Austin provides his students with an exceptional education and learning experience to help them in their pursuit to become a successful bartender and excel in mixology and customer satisfaction.

Kevin Gibbons

Instructor
Cellular 786-447-7303
Office 305-460-8070
kevin@elitebartendingschool.com

Kevin Gibbons was born in Bristol, England. In 2002, at the age of 18 Kevin started his bartending career. Kevin worked in a local cocktail bar and began his knowledge on mixology and flair. For years Kevin worked in pubs and bars around England earning money to support his education in performing arts. After graduating from college Kevin wanted to take his stage career to the bar scene. In 2005, Kevin moved to Spain where he expanded his knowledge on the bar, learned advanced methods and techniques in mixology and flair, and mastered the psychology of bartending. Now well known for his crazy concoctions, Kevin wows his guests with great bottle tricks and satisfies them with fantastic mixology skills, at Off the Hookha Bayside. One of the world’s premiere flair and mixology establishments.

With over nine years working in and managing bars, creating cocktail menus, assisting in opening new locations, and teaching, Kevin brings his education and global knowledge on mixology to Miami Beach, which he offers his talents exclusively to the students of Elite Bartending School.

Elda Abate

Instructor
Cellular 786-447-7303
Office 305-460-8070
elda@elitebartendingschool.com

Elda Abate has always grown up in the Food & Beverage Industry. She learned to bartend and managed at a very young age when she started working in her parent’s successful high volume establishments, which included Bars, Nightclubs, and Restaurants and lounges.

During her college years, Elda wanted to explore diverse cities. With her extensive knowledge on the bar she used this skill to bartend in different cities and attended a few different colleges. Elda eventually graduated from Suny Albany University with a B.A. in Business and Theatre. Along her journey, she worked at Dublin’s in Hempstead NY, Reade Street Pub in trendy Tribeca NYC. . Elda bartended many high end exclusive events, some of which included the Oscars Vanity Fair After Party and MTV’s VMA’s After Party. She has assisted in opening new establishments and has created and continues to create numerous cocktail menus in NY, LA, and Miami.

With over 15 years’ experience in bartending and bar managing, Elda has a very versatile background, which she enjoys sharing with her students at Elite Bartending School.