UKBG newsletter no 1, 2015
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#1/15 News
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Transcript of UKBG newsletter no 1, 2015
#1/15
News
Words from
the Editor Claudia Carrozzi
time goes fast and the 2015 brought a wind of change. This year we had our first competition in January, where our winner will be representing the UKBG in Normandy, our members are working hard for charity, and many other hot news such as the election of the new President, Luca Cordiglieri and the promotion of Mike Sweetman to Vice – President, we also have more competitions planned such as the national Competition heat in Scotland and more heats in the Northern area and... much more!!!
I am feeling our readers are much closer and I apologize for the inconvenience with the last issue
from the 2014, that hasn’t being published yet due to technical issues. We are working hard on
solving this matter, we will publish the articles sometimes soon. In the meantime I adopted a
different layout for this newsletter due to a higher volume of contents. I am a cocktail bartender and
not a graphic designer therefore I try to keep this work as simple as possible in order to achieve a
constant flow of news for you, as the number of events increase significantly. So, please forgive me if
my work is not highly professional!
This pages is a space for you as well, therefore if you have a story to tell a recipe to share, an idea, a
comment, feedback or just a question, please feel free to contact me or Mike Sweetman, we are
more than happy to assist! The UKBG is you, and only with you we can progress for the excellence!
I hope you enjoy your reading... and happy shaking!
he T
President:
Luca Cordiglieri
Vice - President:
Mike Sweetman [email protected]
National Administrator:
Jim Slavin [email protected]
Editor:
Claudia Carrozzi [email protected]
London Area Chairman:
Mike Sweetman
Southern Area Chairman:
Salvatore Damiano [email protected]
Northern Area Chairman:
John Farrell [email protected]
London Area Vice-Chairman:
Fabio Immovilli [email protected]
Southern Area Vice - Chairman:
Chris Underwood [email protected]
Social Media Manager
Peter Gyor [email protected]
Enquiry
Who is who
"You never change things by fighting the existing reality, To change something build a new model that makes the
existing model obsolete "
Mike Sweetman
leadership
On
e up
on
the
tim
e
events
3 Is matter of
Leadership 4,
8 Charity
We run & shake the
Shakers for a good will
4 UKBG
Events
6 Bartender Profile:
Lucia
Montanelli
4,
5 Competitions
7 1934,
The bartender
Tales
In this issue:
Shaker Bar School Official UKBG Training Partner
For more details e-mail at: [email protected]
or visit: www.shaker-uk.com
Earlier this year we had a change leadership in the Guild, as
of January we had a new President, Mr Luca Cordiglieri who
is the Bar Manager for China Tang at the Dorchester.
We also have a new Vice-President Mr Mike Sweetman,
previously of the Marriott Hotel Group, but now retired, who
was also the more recent London Area Chairman,
Mike is well known to the bartending fraternity in
London.
Luca was the former Vice - President for six years and done a
great job, so we are looking forward to seeing some great
events to be organised by this dynamic duo.
To add to this we have a new Chairman for the
Southwest area Mr Salvatore Damiano, Bar Manager at the
Captains Club in Christchurch, who is doing great things
down in the Bournemouth, Christchurch areas.
UKBG
UKBG Market Competition,
@ the Liquid Zone, Bournemouth
Hotel & Catering Show 2015
For more info, visit www.ukbartendersguild.co.uk
or e-mail Salvatore Damiano:
UKBG... Every little help... Support for a good cause
During the recent IBA World
Cocktail Championships in Cape
Town South Africa, John Farrell,
Chairman of the North of
England Area completed the
challenge of walking to the
summit of Table Mountain,
raising funds for the British
Heart Foundation. He has a
donating page on Facebook on to Just Giving web page if
anyone wishes to help a very worthy cause or sponsor John
by Texting CIHM81 £2 to70070, and if you pay Tax in your
wages you can claim gift aid , which will increase your
donation by 25% at no extra cost.
4th July: Our member Francesco Erriu, Blue Bar Manager @
The Berkeley, is fundraising for the charity Scope to help the
disabled to have equal rights in this Country.
Will be cycling the distance of 280 miles from London to
Paris in 24 hours. If you wish to donate visit Francesco’s
page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com Francesco Erriu
So far... So good! After your great feedback and success we had at the previous events, we have
expanded our heats for the National Cocktail Competition, where the winner will
compete next year at the IBA World Cocktail Competition, the fourth heat will be
with our friends from Scotland!
The Young Bartender of the Year is not a single competition anymore but has a
round in the Northern Area as well as South and for tradition the London heat.
The London Area Team will be working with Fentiman’s aiming to deliver fantastic
cocktails and amazing show at Imbibe in July.
Coco real competition is now paired with a masterclass, heats will take place in
the three different areas of the Guild.
The finals for this will take place in London! Much more events are pen-
cilled down, be in touch with your local committee and visit our web site
for more info and update!
7th: Copa de Cava at Camino Blackfriars, London
From 2 to 5pm, Contact: Mike Sweetman [email protected]
11th: Ladies Only competition, London, date and venue TBC
National Cocktail Competition, Scotland Heat,
date and venue TBC
National Cocktail Competition, Northern Heat,
date and venue TBC
National Cocktail Competition, Southern Heat,
date and venue TBC
8th: Galvin Cup Competition @ Quaglinos Bar, London
Coco Real Grand Prix Masterclass & Competition, Northern
and London Heat, dates and venues TBC
The UKBG round of the Calvados Nouvelle cocktail competition
was this year held at the typically English Hotel du Vin in
Winchester on Thurs 29th February. Many thanks to the hotel and
their great staff for all their help.
It was attended by 16 Professional bartenders plus three
students which were selected from the eight that competed in
London the week before, they were from the Westminster
Kingsway Catering College, Victoria, London.
The event was sponsored by Marussia Beverages UK Ltd, with Mr
Bruce Perry Sales Director, Ms Olivia Plunkett Marketing Manager,
Who very kindly came along with some of their colleagues to see
fair play.
Bruce gave a very interesting talk about Calvados and the
production of the Calvados, Olivia gave out samples of Dupont
and Bonneroy Calvados of different ages and styles for the com-
petitors to taste.
Later Bruce and Olivia were judges of the cocktail the blind tasting
section, along with Mr Peter Holland from the Floating Rum Shack
website, Peter is a Rum Guru and spirits writer. Also we were
delighted to have our National Champion of the UKBG Mr Majiec
Urbanski, who will represent us in Bulgaria for the IBA World
Cocktail Championships; along with Ms Marie-Anne Saloux from
Spirit France, Public Relations who represent Boulard, Piere
Magloire and Lecompte Pays d` Auge.
As Technical Judges we had Mr Armand Fasola Former
Chairman UKBG Southern area, and Mike Sweetman National
Vice President UKBG. The Competitors were asked to create a
cocktail which they could relate to a film clip from a French film,
there were five clips to choose from, they were given seven
minutes to make and present their creation. There were some
very creative drinks, it showed that they had studied the film clips
very well.
The Prize for the outright winner is a trip to Deauville in Normandy
to be in the Calvados Nouvelle grand finals in March. The Students
done very well under their tutor Mr Simon Willson-White who was
very supportive and gave them a lot of inspiration.
One of the students will also go to Normandy that is Miss Amelia
(Millie) Povey. The other Students to make it to Winchester were
Nikisha Arolkar and Michael Taylor, they all made very good drinks
considering that they are not bartenders.
Amelia has never entered a cocktail competition before but she
even scored higher than a few of the professionals; Amelia’s drink
was related with the honey bees that collect the pollen from one
apple blossom to the other, she used honey and bee pollen in her
drink and in the garnish which was a mini apple with bee pollen on
it. The film clip was number one, Coco Chanel because all the fancy
hats that the ladies wore on the beach resembled the apple blos-
som of the Calvados apples in the Orchard.
The winner of the Professionals was Ms Lucia Montanelli with her
creation, “Je Suis 13” it was related to film clip one. Lucia is not a
newcomer she has entered many of our comps but never quite got
the first place but has reached second many times, always the
Bridesmaid but never the bride until this comp where she became
a very successful Bride.
“The Students done very well under their tutor Mr
Simon Willson-White who was very supportive and
gave them a lot of inspiration”
It came to a shake off with Lucia and Federico Pavan from Maestro
Salvatore’s at the Playboy.
Federico was a very good second place with very little between
them but the judges for the shake off were Peter Holland and Bruce
Perry. They said it was very close as both drinks were very good
and it was a tough decision to choose which the best drink was.
A great deal of thanks go to the man who took the time to organise
the event Mr Salvatore Damiano, The southern area Chairman for
the UKBG and the Bar Manager from the Captains Club in
Christchurch. Salvatore also brought along one of his barmen
Tommo Quy who entered and done extremely well, he came first
out of the Meridian bartenders league group.
Many thanks to Mr Jim Slavin the UKBG Administrator, who came
down from Scotland, and Mr Chris Underwood, Vice Chairman
from the southern area UKBG, who saw fair play was adhered to.
Mr Tom Elms who is always there for us taking great pictures. Mr
James Fowler from the Meridian bartenders league and some of his
members.
Mike Sweetman
UKBG National Vice President
International Trophies 2015
Lucia, how did you get
into bartending?
I believe there are two
factors that have
influenced my decision
to pursue this career.
The place where I come
from, Viareggio, is a little
city placed on the North
Coast of Tuscany, the
economy of my city is
mainly based on tourism
and on the Hospitality
industry. The second
reason involves my
family; my grand father
has worked for many
years in luxury hotels
and my parents
were restaurant
owners. I've started work
in the hospitality since I
was very young while
attending the Hospitality
college.
My two careers as a
restaurant waitress and
Bartender grew together.
After many experiences
in different types of
business like American
bars, pubs, discos and 5
stars hotel between
Viareggio and Florence,
10 months ago I decided
to move here in London
to improve my skills and
start my personal
challenge.
You have
competed in
several
competitions in
the last year,
how does it feel
to be the
winner?
Simply
unexpected but
much wanted.
I've always
taken part in
competitions
because I enjoy
them so much.
I can learn a lot from my
colleagues and each
competition is a very
useful exchange of views
between the
competitors. I don't
know if I deserve this
prize because also my
colleagues did a very
good job but I know that
in every competition I try
to do my best and I try
to show my passion.
After many second
places, this time has
been my round.
Your competition is not
over yet, there is
Normandy waiting for
you, how do you
feel ? What do you
expect?
It will be a gorgeous
competition. I'm Very
excited and I’m little
anxious, I will have to
compete against the
most talented bartenders
in Europe. I'll try to do
my best to better
represent the U.K. and
the U.K.B.G.
You are working at the
Dorchester Bar on the
floor, and you win a
competition behind the
bar. I would recognize
this as deep love for
bartending. Would you
like to share your secret
to the other bar waiters/
waitress? How did you
achieve this target ?
It's simple, set a goal,
work and study a lot to
reach it. Do not be
discouraged in the face
of difficulties and always
believe in ourselves.
When I worked in Italy I
didn't find any difficulty
in finding a job as a
bartender in hotels of
high category but when I
arrived in London I
applied for many
bartender positions in 5
stars but just three of
them offered me a
chance. I started work in
a very nice hotel in St.
James and after three
months they promoted
me as bar supervisor. But
It wasn't enough for me,
that's why I applied
again at the Dorchester
and I accepted a position
as bar waitress. I did one
step back and I accepted
the challenge to
demonstrate I can be a
bartender in a place
which hasn't a woman
behind the bar since
more than 30 years. I
want to give just an
advise: Never feel the
best in class, be humble
and have an open mind,
you can learn many
things from everyone,
just listening and
observing people that
have more experience in
this world for more years
than you.
What is inspiration
for you?
Inspiration is the
fruit of the
imagination. With
the inspiration you
can create
something new and
extremely unique.
Inspiration is
fundamental for this job,
it helps you be more
innovative and to push
your limits always a few
meters ahead. Although
my idea of innovation is
always tied to the past,
bartenders we should
never forget our origins
always maintaining a link
with the past.
Where your inspiration
comes from?
I can feel inspiration just
entering a bar, watching
and touching spirits
bottles and also
studying the history of
cocktail and liqueurs.
Inspiration comes from
my job places but
especially from people
who have teach me how
to do this job. Those
people had not just
teach me how get a
perfect mix, they have
show me how to
understand customers
and how important is
establish a good rapport
with them.
What does the UKBG
represent for you?
The UKBG is not just a
group of Bartenders that
compete against each
other, the UKBG is first of
all a group of people
which have in common a
great passion for this job.
A group of professionals
that want
to transmit to the young
bartenders what they
know about this world.
When I entered UKBG it
was like enter in a family.
Every competition, every
master or open days
organised by the Guild
have been occasions to
meet other colleagues,
professionals and
masters, every time in a
nice and friendly
atmosphere.
Where do you see your-
self in five years?
I have a dream since I
started working in the
hospitality. One day I
would to open my bar. I
know that is a very
ambitious goal to reach
but I will try to do my
best that's why I want
to learn as much as
possible in next years to
create a place which
reflect my personality
and all I learn in my
experience.
If you won the lottery
but the money could
only be spent on
bartenders, how would
you spend it.?
I would definitely invest
my money in my
business or on travels in
countries where the
spirits are produced, to
understand how
products that we use in
our job are made.
Claudia Carrozzi
Editor
Bartender Profile: Lucia Montanelli
“After many second places, this time has been my round”
Je Suis 13 45ml Calvados Dupont 15ml Homemade Cinnamon & Orange Syr-up 2 Dash of Amaro Chinato Garnish: Rosemary, Salt, Orange, Cinnamon. Glass: Balloon Method: Mixing Glass – Stirred and Strained
Once Upon a Time... In the Summer edition 2014 I have reported the result for the British Empire Cocktail Competition 1934 where
John Perosino won with the Royal Romance cocktail. Moving on with my researches I find out that our
Secretary Mr. Edwards went on periodical travels around bars to talk with the members of the Guild and went
to see our winner at his bar at the Punch’s Club.
November, 1934
His primary thought was to see the Booth’s Challenge Cup safely installed, he was then invited to take a glass
of Hot Punch, as his day began raw. On his article he said: “I am sure John will be pleased to give any of you
further details of this and the Punch that he used, if you like to write to him at his business address. (in later NL
it is stated that Perosino had a lot of enquiries!). As I intend from month to month, as far as possible, to pass on
to members of the Guild anything I notice of interest in different bars, if any of you have a particularly bright
idea providing further interest for your customers and stimulating sales, just let me know, so that we can pass
the good news round the rest of the boys. If on the other hand you have some secret
little dodge of your own that you do not wish to broadcast, just put its “night attire” on
before I come to see you”
***
Our Secretary met Frank Meyer from the Ritz Hotel in Paris and describe himself
saying: “Frank Meyer in France is the same as Harry Craddock is to us in England.”
During his stay in London Mr. Edwards and Mr Meyer had lunch at various restau-
rants, and Edwards find it interesting that in every occasion he was able to point out
some celebrities or others he has entertained at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, he stated “it
demonstrate, to my mind, the need for constant close co-operation between bartend-
ers all over the world”
Claudia Carrozzi
Editor
To be continued...
F. G. Edwards ,
Guild Secretary
