GREY GOOSE 2012 POUR MASTERS COMPETITION IN CALGARY

Grey Goose bottles

 Franz Swinton mixes up his winning cocktail

The Flamiche Flip

 Winner Franz Swinton (centre) with mixologist Stanislav Vadrna (left) and Grey Goose Global Brand Ambassador Dimi Lezinska

                                                                The Calgary competitors







World-renowned mixologist, Stanislav Vadra, a leader in the craft of cocktails and luxury entertaining was in Calgary from Paris, at Hotel Le Germain to share Japanese cocktail culture, techniques and service philosophies. Alongside Dimi Lezinska, global brand ambassador from Grey Goose, the pair judged the Grey Goose  Pour Masters Competition. 



Calgary's finest bartenders, each showed off their skills, producing their own signature using Grey Goose cocktail. From smoke infused concoctions, to phallic shaped ice, to a "signature" shake technique, the competition was raucous and rousing. 
 
The winner of the competition was Franz Swinton from Avec Bistro, Brix and Morsel and Cube. His cocktail was called the Flamiche Flip and was served with a handmade tart.


Flamiche Flip

1oz Grey Goose Vodka

.5 oz Lillet Blanc

.5 oz Cointreau

1 egg

0.5 oz lemon

0.5 oz fennel syrup

3 dashes Peychaud bitters Nutmeg


The judges commented on the remarkable progress that the bartenders had made in one year.  All we have to say to that is "Tza Tza." (thanks Stan for the addition to our lexicon!)

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT K&S MEDIA 2012 

You may visit the NEW Spring 2012 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

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MADE WITH LOVE CALGARY: THE QUALIFYING ROUND

 

Bryon King (Charcut) and Andrew Gleason (Mango Shiva) smile after the first intense round

 

 Jimmy Nguyen makes his cocktail with the secret black box ingredient: pickled beets

Nguyen's final cocktail: a ruby tinged simple beauty

  Photography: K&S Media 2012

Fun day yesterday at Mango Shiva for the qualifying Event for Made with love Calgary!
Congratulations to all the bartenders who competed.

Yesterday's Ranking:

1) Emily Butt - Notable
2) Andrew Gleason - Mango Shiva
3) Colin Tait - Raw Bar

Also competing: 

Franz Swinton - Cube
Kenton Hrynyk - Brix & Morsel
Jimmy Nguyen - Cube
Nathan Head - Milk Tiger
Andy Britton - Trib Steakhouse
Bryon King- Charcut
Timo Salimaki - Living Room
Spenny Crosby - Ox & Angela

See you all in July 2012 for the finale of Made with Love! 

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT K&S MEDIA 2012 

You may visit the NEW Spring 2012 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!

Follow us on twitter @CityStyleMag

CALGARY BARTENDER'S ASSOCIATION AND LICOR 43 HOST EASTER EGG HUNT AT DINER DELUXE

Bottles of Licor 43 and El Amo Tequila

Jimmy Nguyen of the forthcoming Brix and Morsel mixes up Licor 43 Sour

Licor 43 Sour

Stephen Phipps (Model Milk) at the Old Julius station

Philippe Grandbois of Grandbois Consulting Inc.

The team from Diner Deluxe

Franz Swinton serving edible cocktails

Resembling a marshmallow in both taste and texture - these were a real treat - they even featured popping candy

Inside the kitchen the staff were preparing treats featuring what else? Eggs!

Oatmeal spoons

Chocolate eclairs

Chocolate Easter eggs

The egg decorating station

Some final pieces at the egg decorating station
Photography by K&S Media 2012

When the Calgary Bartender's Association paired with Licor 43 to host an Easter Egg hunt at Diner Deluxe the only question for guests was: Where are all the eggs hiding? Cleverly, the Calgary Bartender's Association chose to hide theirs in delicious cocktails made with Licor 43 (and of course egg whites and yolks), while Diner Deluxe chose to hide theirs in mini-treats like eclairs and quail's egg toasts (not pictured). Some eggs, however were in full view - as multi-coloured chocolate egg treats, and egg decorations.

CSL's favourite tipple of the night was the Licor 43 sour. "That drink really works well. But Licor 43 can also be sipped as a digestif," said Philippe Grandbois who is associated with the brand. Made in Spain from 43 ingredients, Licor 43 is a smooth yellow liqueur with citrus and vanilla notes. Shrouded in secrecy, the brand's exact ingredients are known only to a select few.

Another standout of the night was the edible cocktail made by Jimmy Nguyen of the forthcoming Brix and Morsel. Topped with vibrant popping candy and presented in neat paper baking cups it was another delicious way to enjoy Licor 43.

You may visit the NEW Spring 2012 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!

Follow us on twitter @CityStyleMag

CALGARY BARTENDER'S ASSOCIATION HOSTS RUM NATION LAUNCH AT VINE ARTS

The event was hosted at the soon to be opened wine shop Vine Arts

Two offerings from Rum Nation

A mai tai from the Calgary Bartender's Association (CBA)

The affable and gregarious Garth Brown of the forthcoming Brix and Morsel

Mussels in an Asian inspired broth with shrimp crisps from Brix and Morsel

Plating the dessert - a coconut sphere topped with mint and dessicated coconut

A closer look at the dessert

The Calgary Bartender's Association (CBTA) did it again - making event planning look easy. The CBTA hosted a great evening for the launch of Rum Nation. Represented by Crush Imports, the Italian owned company carries rum from across the Caribbean and Latin America. Some of our favourites included: the Jamaica 25 year old; and the Demerara 23 year old from Guyana.

With a tropical, Caribbean inspired cocktail menu guests were feeling the rhythm of the islands. James Nguyen concocted his own grenadine, an important component in the Planter's punch that greeted attendees. Nathan Head of Milk Tiger Lounge and Kenton Hrynyk manned the mai tai station while guests took their first look at Vine Arts (soon to be open).

Nibbles from Brix and Morsel (also soon to be open) included jerk chicken pastry puffs and a clever dessert of coconut spheres. A t-shirt sported by one of the kitchen staff hinted at the strong branding of this soon to be opened bar/lounge/restaurant.

All CSL has to say is: Rum Nation? Yea Man!

You may visit the Winter 2011/12 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!

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JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY TASTING AT MILK TIGER LOUNGE #YYC

The Jameson (and Red Breast) bottles, ready for tasting

Jars of Barley vs. malted barley

Amy O'Sullivan talks about Jameson Irish Whiskey

The selection for the tasting

The bartenders enjoy their whiskey (with a drop of water)
Images copyright K&S Media 2012

The Calgary Bartenders Association held a Jameson Irish Whiskey tasting at Milk Tiger Lounge, hosted by Brand ambassador Amy O'Sullivan.

From the difference among Scotch whiskey, American, whiskey, Canadian whiskey and Irish whiskey to the definition (and by that we mean trying it firsthand) of pickleback, to the meaning of the logo on the bottle (it was a family crest), the tasting was an interesting look into the world of Irish whiskey. The group tasted several whiskey from Jameson including the famed Red Breast, 12 year old, 18 year old and Gold Reserve.

Best of all - the hands of many a familiar face raised in toast at the long bar at Milk Tiger Lounge.

www.jamesonwhiskey.es

You may visit the Winter 2011/12 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!

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CALGARY BARTENDERS ASSOCIATION HOST PRESERVING BEHIND THE BAR PRESENTED BY MILK TIGER LOUNGE AND MAKER'S MARK

The event was hosted at Milk Tiger Lounge

Nathan Head of Milk Tiger Lounge mixes up the evening's welcome cocktail

A closer look at Earl's Garden the evening's welcome drink - which was delicious

The indomitable Christina Mah of justcocktails.org

The bar at Milk Tiger Lounge

Small bites were set out on a long horizontal table

Smoked salmon on flatbread with capers and onions

Charcuterie wrapped pretzels

Basil Hayden's bourbon - one of the featured bourbons of the evening

Colin Tait of Hotel Arts preparing a cocktail

A closer look at the Old School Jam (great name, by the way)

The always smiling Jimmy Nguyen making Apple Butter Manhattan
Photography K&S Media

Yes, the temperature was way below zero but a boisterous crowd gathered at Milk Tiger Lounge for the Calgary Bartender's Associations' Preserving Behind the Bar event. Christina Mah bedecked in a polka dot apron stirred pureed pumpkin invoking comforting memories, throughout the restaurant shadow boxes with miniature mixing tools (spatulas, whisks, wooden spoons) held recipes printed on lined cue cards (too cute), and Philippe Grandbois let guests know about the colonial practise of making a shrub (an important ingredient in the evening's welcome cocktail - vinegar and sugar preserved fruit).

Want to try the evening's cocktails at home? We've collected the recipes from Calgary's foremost cocktail experts for you (recipes courtesy Calgary Bartender's Association):

EARL'S GARDEN

Glass: Rocks

Method: Build all ingredients excluding ginger beer, in a mixing glass. Shake vigorously and fine strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and top with ginger beer.

Garnish: Grapefruit slice

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Maker's Mark bourbon
3/4 ms grapefruit shrub
4 dashes earl grey bitters
1/2 lemon pressed
top ginger beer

OLD SCHOOL JAM

Glass: Rocks

Method: Muddle all ingredients in the base of a rocks glass, swizzle, top with ice and soda

Garnish: Lemon wedge if preferred

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Basil Hayden's
4 wedges of lemon
1 1/2 bar spoon cranberry-elderflower jam
3 dashes Peychaud bitters
top soda

APPLE BUTTER MANHATTAN

Glass: Martini

Method: Build in a mixing glass, add ice, stir and fine strain into chilled martini glass

Garnish: Cherry brandies, flaming orange peel, or an apple slice

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ms Knob Creek Bourbon
1/2 ms Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 bar spoon apple butter

Cheers!

www.facebook.com/groups/calgarybartenders/

You may visit the Fall 2011 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner

of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!

Follow us on twitter @CityStyleMag

MOUNT GAY RUM AMBASSADOR CHESTERFIELD BROWNE IN CALGARY WITH THE CALGARY BARTENDER ASSOCIATION

Mount Gay Rum 1703

Chesterfield Browne, Brand Ambassador of Mount Gay

Glasses lined up for the tasting

Chesterfield Browne speaks to the crowd

Five rums were poured for the tasting

Bottles of Mount Gay

Brand Ambassador for Mount Gay, Chesterfield Browne spoke to a crowd including many distinguished Calgary mixologists and bartenders from the Calgary Bartender Association about Mount Gay Rum, the island of Barbados and island living.

Working for 18 years with Mount Gay, the former bartender regaled the crowd with stories of Barbados' famed rum shops, the new shape of Mount Gay's bottles, a history of the brand. Calling Mount Gay "the Rolls Royce of Rum and the oldest rum in the world, the rum that invented rum," Browne led guests through a tasting of five of the brands offerings: Mount Gay Eclipse Rum; Mount Gay Eclipse Black; Mount Gay Extra Old Rum; and Mount Gay Rum 1703. CSL's favourite? Mount Gay 1703.

www.mountgayrum.com


You may visit the Fall 2011 digital edition of City Style and Living magazine (also available in print) at the following address (follow the three simple steps to access the full magazine, online) :

1) go to http://www.citystyleandliving.com
2) click on the 'front cover' image, on the left hand side of your screen
3) to flip through the e-magazine, click on the bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, just as you would our print magazine!