Prime Pubs' Bartenders Pour it on and Craic it up to Earn Coveted MBAs

Innovative training program hones bartending skills, builds staff loyalty and creates memorable life experiences

MISSISSAUGA, ON – May 14, 2010 – Bartenders representing all Prime Pub locations across Ontario demonstrated their entertaining, pouring and beverage knowledge skills in a hilarious and highly competitive Draught Master Competition yesterday judged by 24 Hours National News Editor and Beer Columnist Aonghus Kealy, Stephen Gray Key Account Manager, Diageo Canada and Grant Cobb, Senior Vice President Brand Management Prime Restaurants Ltd. The competition, along with the awarding of their MBAs – Master of Beverage Appreciation – was the concluding highlight of an innovative four day Liquid Academy of Publicans designed to build beverage excellence, skill and customer service. Alan Mangan from Tir nan Óg in Kingston was awarded the coveted title of 2010 Prime Pub's Draught Master.

"All of the competing bartenders were excellent and each had their own unique style. However Alan Mangan's hilarious, sung Craic that was performed with such confidence made him stand out from the others," says Nathan Cameron, Mixologist and Beverage Manager, Prime Pubs.

Prime Pubs' annual Liquid Academy of Publicans traditionally closes with the Draught Master Competition which tests participating bartenders in three areas: pouring a perfect pint of Guinness, answering trivia questions about Guinness and Ireland, and delivering their best Craic – light-hearted Irish fun. This year's Competition was held at Fionn MacCool's Esplanade location in Toronto. In addition to being named Prime Pubs Draught Master 2010, Mangan was awarded a four day, educational trip to Ireland that includes spending a day at St. James Gate Brewery alongside a certified Guinness Brewmaster.

"The Liquid Academy is the ultimate learning experience for bartenders and it is definitely a career highlight for many of our participants," says Cameron.

Prime Pubs created its Liquid Academy of Publicans three years ago to increase the skill level of its staff and to provide a fun, challenging experience that would build staff loyalty and retention. Unlike most training programs, Prime Pub's Liquid Academy does not involve taking notes sitting at a classroom desk. Instead, the Academy relies on interactive-inspired workshops, tastings, seminars and team building exercises anchored in globally driven trends to keep Prime Pub bartenders at the top of their game. During this year's four day Academy a number of inspiring educational landscapes were used, including a Niagara winery, a distillery, a brewery, a state-of-the-art training and mixology lab and a variety of cutting edge restaurants, lounges and pubs.

After completing the exhausting but exhilarating, intense four day training program participants are awarded an MBA – a badge they wear on their shirts during all working hours so guests and colleagues will know they have a superior level of beverage knowledge.

"The hospitality environment is fiercely competitive so we wanted to offer our key staff a unique growth opportunity that would provide them with cutting edge training and foster relationships with Prime Pubs team members," says Grant Cobb, Senior Vice President, Brand Management for Prime Restaurants Inc. "The success of the Liquid Academy speaks for itself. All of the participants who attended the 2009 Academy are still with the company today and we have a growing number of staff with superior knowledge of wine, beer and mixology as well as service and showmanship."

About Prime Pubs
Prime Pubs is a family of 13 authentic Irish pubs operating under the trade-marks of Fionn MacCool's, D'Arcy McGee's, Paddy Flaherty's and Tir nan Óg. Prime Pubs serve traditional Irish fare made from authentic recipes that have been developed over generations as well as a selection of contemporary favourites. Interiors of Prime Pubs offer a warm and friendly environment and many pubs feature furnishings that have been imported directly from Ireland. For more information visit www.primepubs.com.

About Prime Restaurants Inc.
Prime Restaurants Inc. operates and franchises a diversified portfolio of leading brands of casual dining restaurants and premium pubs across Canada under such trademarks as: "East Side Mario's," "Casey's," "Fionn MacCool's," "D'Arcy McGee's," "Paddy Flaherty's," "Tir nan Óg," "Bier Markt" and "Pat & Mario's."

Prime Restaurants is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol EAT. Visit www.primerestaurants.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
For more information please contact:
Katherine Clark
Cowan & Company
416-462-8773 ext. 55
katherine.clark@cowanandcompany.net