Sierra Gordon

Email: Sierra@elitebartendingschool.com

sierra gordonSierra Gordon was born in Dallas Texas. Moving to Ft. Myers Florida she was immediately drawn to the thriving tourism and hospitality scene at a very young age. In 2007 she dove in, landing her first job in the craft at a local restaurant, where she was the youngest operation specialist in the company. This also sparked her 13-year career in the bar, club and food industry. While attending Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, majoring in Economics and Hospitality; she worked full time, adapting fine dining skills in the fast-paced industry. From black linen service in upscale restaurants like Villagio during the week, Sierra refined her expertise in bartending. She quickly expanded her knowledge specializing in wine and curating a passion for unique customer experiences. During the weekends, Sierra also worked at Mansion Nightclub on South Beach, Miami. At Mansion, Sierra got a taste of high-volume bartending. This would become her focus and new-found adoration. After leaving college, Sierra returned to Ft. Myers. She began to create a brand of her own. Using the knowledge and skills she learned while in South Florida, Sierra went to work for KRG, Kearns Restaurant Group. Here Sierra was rotated to their 5 different stores. Opening Izzy’s Downtown Fort Myers, with big hands on a craft cocktail menu; KRG’s first functioning craft cocktail bar. She helped out at The Boat House in Cape Coral, and mainly bartended at The Firestone Grill Room, Martini Bar & Skybar for 4 years. While working for KRG, Elite Bartending School moved into downtown Ft. Myers. She attended the school and joined Elite in 2014 to bartend events and polish her craft. Sierra toured the country working the nation’s largest food and music festivals from BottleRock in Napa Valley, to Ultra Music Fest in Miami and everything in between. Working so close with Elite, she realized her life’s next adventure would be spreading her wealth of knowledge, and skills accumulated over the last decade. Sierra left KRG in 2015 and pursued being an instructor for Elite. Sierra taught hundreds of students over the next five years. While teaching at Elite during the week, she’s filled her weekends working at Blue Martini in Naples, Florida. Today, Sierra is proud to expand Elite Bartending School and Event Staffing to a new city, Nashville Tennessee. Sierra looks forward to continuing her knowledge and passion to make a stellar impression on her students.

Allen Little

Email: Allen@elitebartendingschool.com

Allen was born in Rochester, New York, and raised in Southwest Florida. Allen did not always work in the Hospitality industry but had longing to be a part of the high speed and energy since a very young age. The slow and redundant lifestyle of retail in high school had Allen craving more. His first step in the door of the bar and nightclub industry was at the 2-story complex: Celsius Night Club, in the historic Downtown Fort Myers. High volume, fast paced, turn and burn atmosphere. It was the ultimate club he had dreamt to work at. When making in a night what he made in a week, Allen was hooked. With this new lifestyle, Allen wanted to learn more. After a year or so, Elite Bartending School and Event Staffing of Southwest Florida moved into the daytime vacancy of Celsius nightclub. Allen took the class to advance himself further in the scene. This led him to Land the country’s hottest gigs. Bartending at festivals and sporting events. From BottleRock in Napa Valley, to Middlelands in Houston, Tx… to Ultra Music Fest, and the 2019-2020 Super bowl in Miami, Florida, and everything in between. While traveling the country, sometimes multiple times a month, Allen picked up shifts at several other bars in his hometown casually. However, he stayed loyal to Celsius and continued to perfect his craft for the next 6 years. Allen is incredibly pleased to take on the next step of his career, introducing Elite Bartending School and Event Staffing to the beautiful and growing city of Nashville, Tennessee. Opening a franchise of his own, Allen is so excited to share, and share the knowledge and lessons from the bar and club industry he has learned over the years. Giving others the opportunities, he had himself.

Austin Gagnon

Email: Austin@elitebartendingschool.com

zQRGUXG1wSvVlfcEzLh-vDi66Ym1oKbd_F_IF3D7_LIAustin Gagnon started his bartending venture in Upstate New York in the spring of 2001. He was trained by a well-known bar owner in a local fast bar in Troy, New York. 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, The Social Lubricant in the Wynwood District in Miami, and the world famous Clevelander Hotel on Ocean Drive where he worked as a bartender for 7 years. Austin has also worked and is currently responsible for staffing many sporting events, concerts, and Venues such as bartender staffing for both the University of Miami and Miami Dolphins football teams, the Miami Marlins, the Miami Heat (2011, 2012,2013, 2014,2015) the world renowned Ultra Music Festival (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015), South Beach Seafood Festival (2013,2014,2015) Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show (2013,2014. 2015) Calle Ocho (2010,2011,2012), and 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 it’s own started to take shape. Austin wanted to share the knowledge, experiences, and skills that he learned in the bar business over the years with others. In 2009 Elite Bartending School’s first location opened in Miami Beach and fast became the #1 Bartending School in South Florida. Austin takes pride in providing 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.