THE LOCALS
BARTENDER CULTURE
Share What You Know, Learn From Others By Jill Dutton
SHŌSHIN ART CLUB Shōshin: A Japanese concept that translates to “a beginner’s mind.” Art Club: Acknowledging the cultural and artistic role of the bar industry. Merge these two concepts and offer it through an online portal, and you have Shōshin Art Club. At Shōshin Art Club, the founder, Valentino Longo, has created a digital classroom where students learn from world-class leaders in the spirits industry. The inspiration for the concept came when Longo presented the idea—and won—in the final round of Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition. Before opening a champagne bar at the Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Longo did intensive training in Japan and learned about the concept of Shōshin, which translates to “a beginner’s mind,” and is based around the notion that one should approach everything one does with an open mind, free of preconceptions or any expectations, and instead filled with curiosity and open to unlimited possibilities. Shōshin Art Club combines Longo’s artistic approach to crafting cocktails, his love of photography, and a desire to constantly be evolving and growing. Longo’s goal for Shōshin is to offer anyone in hospitality the same tools, access, and knowledge gained from mentors during his career. Although the original idea was (and still is) to open a physical space where hospitality industry people could meet and share their knowledge—during the pandemic they decided to transform this idea into a digital platform, “which worked well as we’re able to have a broader audience from all around the world. This transition to digital affected Shōshin in a positive way,” Longo says.
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