Urban Ninja
Do you think you have what it takes to make it in the Booze Industry?
If you missed it, I had a lively discussion with some industry insiders on a panel entitled “The Business of Booze: Alcohol & Entrepreneurship” for General Assembly. In the video below you will find out what it takes to run a bar, how to sell booze to the public, and how to run a successful busines, from the craftsmen, business owners, and entrepreneurs who work with alcohol day in and day out. If you were ever curious how about the business of alcohol, now’s your chance to drink in all the knowledge.
View the recorded panel on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcQ6F3v41IAh2rHVzFhq7Gy-Dz2q1leH8
We all know an angel, someone who goes above and beyond, thinks of others before themselves, and generally makes the rest of us look like selfish and horrid people. But that’s why it’s important that we treasure these people, so that we have role models to aspire to, heroes that keep us pushing to be our best selves. Gran Centenario Tequila, wants to find these angels, to give these Angels in Training the reward that they deserve.
Last week on Cinco de Mayo, at Blue Plate Taco in Santa Monica, Gran Centenario unleashed a cadre of winged beauties whose mission is to search for those angels among us, Latinos in the community whose selfless actions are helping their neighbors and community. The search will also be supported by local community groups, newspapers, churches and food banks as they help identify and locate Latino entrepreneurs or individuals who have had a major impact on their neighborhoods and have worked diligently in their spare time to give back to their community.
Each Angel in Training will be given a gold coin, a replica of the gold 1921 Centenario Bullion Coin featuring the Angel of Victory that is emblazoned on all Gran Centenario bottles. That token will serve as their invitation to a private gala held in their honor on May 19th at the Mondrian Hotel.
So rest assured that our “City of Angels” is full of angels, you just need to know where to look.
A stately glass structure rising above LA Live, the JW Marriott watches over all the hottest events downtown. The JW, if I may deign to be so familiar, is home to many world class dining establishments, including Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 & Nest, Ford’s Filing Station and The Mixing Room – which will once again be hosting the 3rd annual May Mix Off every Wednesday in May – pitting skilled bartenders against one another in a mixology match judged on innovation & taste.
If you have never attended the May Mix Off, it is quite a scene to behold. Befitting mixology superstars, the contenders faces flash above you on the flat screens, complete with stats, so you can plan your bartender fantasy league, trash talk, or just get a sense of what each bartender is bringing to the table.
Each bartender competes in 3 timed rounds, narrowing down the field to the final elimination where 2 winners will compete in the FINALS – playing to win a coveted trip to Tales of the Cocktail, the premiere cocktail festival held in New Orleans annually.
All the rounds will feature spirits from the William Grant & Sons portfolio, which is home to many of my favorite spirits: Ancho Reyes, Hudson American whiskies, Lillet, and the Art in the Age line of organic spirits. This is in addition to some of their most well known brands: Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Hendrick’s, and Sailor Jerry.
While you cheer for LA’s top bartenders, you can enjoy some bites & cocktails ($14) from The Mixing Room’s menu, which will showcase spirits from the competition. I was recently there sipping on their specialty cocktail of the month and noshing on brisket taquitos (what?!) and mushroom flatbread (yum).
Everyone can participate in the festivities, as bartenders will not only be judged on taste, performance, & presentation by the judges, but also on the crowds cheers or jeers. Bonus: you can see if your taste buds line up with the judges; Guests can form their own opinions with smaller samples of the competing cocktails that will be available to taste.
The bartenders who make it through the first two rounds will compete in the finals on Wed May 27. I will be there on the judges panel so come taste the final cocktails (including the winning ones from the previous weeks) and judge for yourself.
Wednesday, May 6, 7-9 p.m. – Meet the Mixologists event
Wednesday, May 13, 7-9 p.m. – Week One Competition
Wednesday, May 20, 7-9 p.m. – Week Two Competition
Wednesday, May 27, 7-9 p.m. – Week Three Competition / Final Round
The Mixing Room
Located on the lobby level of the JW Marriott Los Angles at L.A. LIVE
