4 minute read
POURING RIBBONS
SHARE WITH US DETAILS ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR ROLE IN THE INDUSTRY.
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I’ve been involved in the hospitality industry in many different ways for over two decades! I started out working on the door at The Planet (for anyone from Adelaide, that will evoke memories of 50c beers on Wednesdays, and 2000 people on the dancefloor on Saturday nights). I’ve been involved in many aspects of hospitality since those inauspicious beginnings, covering bartending, waitressing, management, event management, and finally being a brand ambassador! I’ve been in this role for four years, and I feel so lucky to be still involved in the bartending community, to share in their lives and talk about issues that are important to them.
TELL US ABOUT THE POURING RIBBONS PROJECT. HOW DID THIS INITIATIVE COME ABOUT?
Marcus Motterham, The Admiral of Hains & Co, and I were having a discussion one day and realised there was a huge gap in the market for this kind of group. I’ve been running consumer trainings and masterclasses in this role for four years, and Marcus has hosted numerous trainings and masterclasses at his venue. We observed that the men always far outweighed the women. And more – that the women tended not to be as vocal, while the men made most of the comments and observations. We need to remember that it wasn’t so long ago that women were forbidden from being served in the front bar of a pub – this law was only changed in the 1960s. Women have some catching up to do! And thus the idea was born – a spirits tasting club just for women, where women can come with their sisters, girlfriends, mothers, and learn about a variety of spirits in a relaxed and informal setting. So every month, on the first Wednesday, we gather and listen to women talk about their role in the alcohol industry. I’ve hosted all of the events, and I’ve also presented spirits from the Beam Suntory portfolio, and it’s always a great time!
Erica Richards, The Exchange, Brand Ambassador (SA/NT)
ATTENDING A SESSION FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT WILL ONE TAKE AWAY FROM IT?
The information that you take away really varies every time. Still, the key concept is that we all appreciate different things about different spirits, and part of the fun is learning what others have to say and teach us. I think the group has developed into a lovely community, and it’s a fun and different way to spend a Wednesday night!
HOW DO YOU BECOME A PART OF THE PROGRAM?
All women are welcome, be they bartenders or members of the general public! There’s a minimal cost to cover some of the stock and some cheese and yummy bits at the end, but it’s always very reasonable.
CAN ANYONE IN THE HOSPITALITY JOIN, OR IS IT SPECIFIC TO FEMALE BARTENDERS? IS IT OPEN TO FEMALE CONSUMERS?
It’s a group that’s specific to women, so definitely any female bartenders, but also women in the general public. Sorry guys, this one’s girls only!
WHO HAVE YOU PARTNERED WITH THIS YEAR? AND SHARE WITH US THEIR TEACHINGS.
This year we’ve partnered with Harriet Messenger from Husk Distilleries; Nicole Durdin from Seppeltsfield Road Distillers; Sara Underdown – founder of Vine and Bubble Magazine, Julka Moroz from Bolushe Cigars together with Angela Andrews from Fleurieu Distillery pairing whisky and cigars. I personally paired with Aree Mitchell from Say Cheese to talk about Beam Suntory’s peated whiskies and presented Japanese whiskies and American whiskies from the Beam Suntory portfolio. So we’ve had a pretty busy year so far! Coming up in November is Kayla Grigoriou, The Perfect Blend Regional Finalist for the last two years, discussing her new ventures of aperitifs and vermouths. Never a dull moment!
House of Suntory introduces HAKU® VODKA
to Australia
SUNTORY’S JAPANESE CRAFT VODKA BRAND, HAKU® WAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED TO THE TRADE AT SAKÉ IN MELBOURNE’S FLINDERS LANE. GUESTS WERE TREATED TO AN EVENT THAT INCLUDED A FULL BRIEF ON HAKU®, MEANING “WHITE” IN JAPANESE AND DISTILLED FROM 100% JAPANESE WHITE RICE. THE SESSIONS SHOWCASED PERFECT FOOD PAIRINGS AND HOW TO CREATE DELICIOUS COCKTAILS DESIGNED TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNIQUE QUALITIES OF THIS JAPANESE RICE VODKA.
The Exchange Brand Ambassador, Tom Scott hosted an in-depth masterclass on the history of House of Suntory including a tasting on Haku® vodka.
House of Suntory has always played tribute to traditional Japanese customs and practices. To highlight the background and importance of rice in Japan, Saké’s sushi chefs, Shimpei and Yosuke demonstrated the craftsmanship of sushi making, allowing guests to follow and practice. Sushi, meaning “sour rice” in Japanese, was the perfect food match with the rice-based artisan Haku® vodka.
Guests also had the privilege of experiencing a Japanese degustation prepared by the chefs of Saké, paired with Haku® cocktails, including the Haku-zu with edamame and Hiramasa kingfish, Haku® & Tea with popcorn shrimp and gyoza and finally, the Hakutini, matched with Karaage and short-rib nigiri.
