Pictured above – (from left, upper right panel) Katilin Wilkes and Kristine Bocchino of The Ada Coleman Project.

It’s our last show before Tales of the Cocktail 2024 and our short summer break! This time, we welcome Kaitlin Wilkes and Kristine Bocchino, founders of The Ada Coleman Project! It is a terrific non-profit that supports women+ in the drinks business and hospitality industry. A core part of the program is a database they developed that allows hospitality venues, organizations, and others to identify talent for events, seminars, and much more. We discuss how they got started, the need they saw, and the other programming they do.

Kristine and Kaitlin started The Ada Coleman Project with the idea of fostering gender equality and diversity in the drinks business and hospitality industry worldwide. In addition to the innovative database, the organization provides educational content, articles, industry opportunities, and, simply, a way to connect. In addition, the project offers mentorships, collaborations, and advocacy efforts.

We learn about who Ada Coleman was, the first woman to be the head bartender at the historic and world-famous Savoy Hotel in London. We also learn about both Kaitlin and Kristine’s extensive backgrounds in the hospitality industry and advocacy for people in the drinks business. In fact, after taping the interview, Kaitlin was named one of the Drinks International Bar World 2024 100. Congrats!

Please note – this show is part of our ongoing “Sustainability Series.”

This is a fascinating and important show! Use the links below to see more about The Ada Coleman Project and as well as to learn more about what Kaitlin and Kristine are up to!

Connect –

The Ada Coleman Project – Website – Instagram

Kristine Bocchino – Instagram

Kaitlin Wilkes – Instagram

Hope to see you at Tales of the Cocktail!

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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Pictured above – Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show and Eileen Wayner of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (from left, left panel) at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.

We always look forward to bringing you our annual Tales of the Cocktail preview show! As always, we are joined by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s CEO and friend of the show, Eileen Wayner. We let you know everything you need to know about this year’s event – the most important drinks business conference and showcase on the planet! We discuss the events, activities, programs, and much, much more!

Eileen joins us at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, our usual haunt, to tape this episode. She lets us know about the whole enchilada – the tasting rooms, seminars, parties, and all the 411 you need to attend Tales of the Cocktail whether you are an industry professional or a serious drinks enthusiast. This includes how ticketing works, the dates, and even lodging options.

As we do every year, we talk about new programming and themes for the event. We discuss how the organization and the conference itself continue to evolve. We touch on the Beyond the Bar program that focuses on the well-being of industry members and their commitment to moving towards zero waste. Also, we touch on the year-round work the foundation does to support the drinks business and, critically, the individual professionals who make it all happen!

There’s a lot to unpack in this episode, but if you are coming to Tales or are thinking about it (or just want to learn more about the event), you will want to catch this one! We will be there all week – come say hi!

Connect –

Tales of the Cocktail – Website – Instagram – Facebook

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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We’re back with a new show! On this edition of The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we are talking about two projects spearheaded by two talented bartenders and hospitality industry veterans. Both projects involve community gardens for and by the industry. We chat with Keyatta Mincey-Parker, founder of Atlanta’s “A Sip of Paradise Garden,” and great friend of the show. Also joining us is Elise Hanson, who recently won Bombay Sapphire Gin’s “Most Imaginative Bartender” competition with her project, “Higher Harvests,” that will transform Toronto rooftops into hospitality venue driven gardens.

This is a fun, interesting, and important show! Both of our guests are industry leaders delivering visionary projects in their respective locations. Our good friend, Keyatta, started A Sip of Paradise Garden in Atlanta a few years ago. It’s much more than a community garden run by and for local bartenders, though that is a key component. It’s also a space for varied and critical programming that supports the industry in various ways.

Similarly, Elise’s project is something larger. The award allows her to get her project, “Higher Harvests,” rolling in Toronto where space for urban gardens is very limited. Her innovative approach is to establish rooftop gardens above hospitality venues for their use and other programming. The award is sponsored by Bombay Sapphire Gin in association with the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.

We discuss their projects, how they work, and why they are so important. We also learn about their backgrounds. Keyatta is a noted bartender and drinks business consultant and – news flash – is a 2024 honoree of the Tales of the Cocktail “Catalyst” award! Programming note – this news came out after we taped the show. Congrats, Key!

A cool part of the story is that Keyatta was one of Elise’s two mentors for the Most Imaginative Bartender (MIB) award. So, lots of good vibes here! Elise is also the Bar Manager at Bar Raval in Toronto who developed a love for agriculture.

Check it out to hear and learn much more!

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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Pictured above – Anthony Advincula, National Communications Director (far left), and Brandon Arnold, New Orleans Community Organizer, of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, along with two members of the New Orleans hospitality industry who bravely shared their stories of sexual assault and violence on the job at a recent press conference at We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp in downtown NOLA.

This time on The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we talk with Anthony Advincula, National Communications Director, and Brandon Arnold, Community Organizer for New Orleans, of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, aka ROC United. We discuss this national organization that advocates for members of the hospitality industry. Among other initiatives of theirs we cover; we highlight their effort to pilot a mandatory training on sexual harassment and violence in the industry here in New Orleans.

Carrying on from our previous installment, where we talked with Tammera Catchings of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation on their policy initiative designed to address critical issues for the bar industry, we continue in a similar vein. Anthony and Brandon let us know about the history of ROC United and the work they do to advocate for the broader hospitality industry. This includes pay, the sub-minimum wage, and the need for industry members to not only make a living wage, but a “dignity wage.” We talk about many of the issues and threats that industry members face on the job and in life.

Pictured above from left – Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show, Anthony Advincula, National Communications Director, and Brandon Arnold, New Orleans Community Organizer, of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United at We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp in downtown NOLA.

Importantly, we highlight ROC United’s current initiative being piloted in New Orleans addressing sexual harassment and violence in the hospitality industry. We discuss the connected issues as well as their attempt to launch mandatory training for the industry, including owners and managers, designed to curb the problem.

In fact, the interview took place at We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp (thanks to them for hosting!) immediately after their press conference announcing the concept and the push to work with the City of New Orleans to make it happen. This also comes on the heels of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s annual policy committee meeting (and our previous show) where Anthony and Brandon presented.

If you are an industry member or someone who cares about it, this is an important show for you to catch!

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

Connect –

Restaurants Opportunities Centers United – Website – Instagram – Facebook

Rock United – NOLA – Website – Instagram – Facebook

We Dat’s Chicken & Shrimp – Website – Instagram

Tales of the Cocktail – Website – Instagram – Facebook

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Pictured above – (Lower left panel) Tammera Catchings, Government Affairs Manager for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. (Lower right panel) Last year’s Policy Committee in action.

On this episode of The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we talk about the policy initiative being undertaken by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation supporting bar professionals in the US. The effort is designed to bring about tangible policies and approaches for dealing with critical issues facing individuals in the industry. Our guest is the foundation’s Government Affairs Manager, Tammera Catchings.

We discuss this important program and its phased approach to achieving its goals. According to the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation it is “a multi-faceted effort designed to amplify and advocate for improved benefits and resources for hospitality professionals in the United States.”

The idea is to better communicate the needs and challenges facing a traditionally underserved industry – bar professionals and the broader hospitality industry. Much of the effort is to educate hospitality venue owners and managers as well as policymakers, who are often unaware of many of the issues industry members face in the workspace and in life.

Tammera lets us know about the initiative, their approach, and the steps they are taking to make it all an effective reality. We also discuss the Bar Professional Policy Network Hub. This is an online space for industry members and others connected to it to share information and connect. A big part of our conversation is discussing many of the issues in question – wage disparity, health and wellness, inclusivity, the need for improved labor standards, and much more.

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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Pictured above from left – Matthew Sharpe, Director of Operations, and Wayne Curtis, Head Judge of the New Orleans Spirits Competition.

This time around, we’re bringing you a preview of the 2024 New Orleans Spirits Competition, now in its 3rd year. We chat with Head Judge and noted cocktail author, Wayne Curtis, and Director of Operations and spirits industry veteran, Matthew Sharpe. They let us know about the competition, how it works, and lots of new and exciting things coming this year! We discuss how it all culminates with the final judging at Tales of the Cocktail with much of it open to attendees to observe. If you are a spirits producer, we let you know about how to submit your stuff with the deadline to do so looming soon!

Last year, we chatted with these guys about the competition. At that time, we did something somewhat unique to this show – we taped a segment before the final judging and then reconvened at Tales of the Cocktail right after the award winners were announced. You can check out that show here. Guessing we will probably do something similar this year, too – chatting at Tales to wrap it all up. So, stay tuned on that front!

Pictured above – Andrew Faulkner, Managing Partner of the New Orleans Spirits Competition.

Matt and Wayne give us a rundown of how the competition is structured with a preliminary round that then sets up the six finalists selected to be judged in the final round this July. We discuss the categories and how they have evolved and grown.

We also talk about the unique process where the final round is open to attend for Tales attendees. It’s great fun to see the judges in action “live.” You can also try your hand at evaluating the spirits and participate in an open conversation with the judges to compare your results! This will grow from four category sessions last year to eight.

Also, Wayne and Matt share some things they are excited about this year. This includes some of the changes as well as a couple trends that are expected to firmly manifest in the 2024 iteration. If you’re coming to Tales, be sure to put this on your radar!

If you a producer interested in submitting, check out the link here. The deadline to do so is April 26, 2024.

Connect –

New Orleans Spirits Competition – Website and Instagram

Tales of the Cocktail – Website and Instagram

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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Pictured above – various shots from French Quarter Festival and, upper left panel from left, Kenneth Spears, Director of Food & Beverage and Hospitality, Morgan Valier, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Emily Madero, President and CEO. Photos courtesy of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. and photographers Cedric Ellsworth, Zack Smith, and Justen Williams.

We’re happy to bring you our annual French Quarter Festival preview show! This terrific event starts this week on Thursday, April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 14. Featuring more than 20 stages scattered throughout the historic French Quarter along with dozens of food and drink vendors and other special offerings, there is sure to be something for everyone! We chat with Emily Madero, President and CEO, and Kenneth Spears, Director of Food & Beverage and Hospitality, of French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

IMHO, French Quarter Festival (FQF) is the greatest music event on the planet! This year is the 41st iteration of the event that has continued to grow on all fronts. Not only is the music, focused on regional performers, simply outstanding, the food and drink program is also top-notch. With nearly 70 food vendors that include local restaurants, caterers, and others, there is a wide range of choices representing the diversity of regional cuisine.

Emily and Kenneth let us know all about the fest and what you need to know to attend this free event. Aside from music and food, we discuss their efforts to “geaux green” and be more sustainable. We also talk about some of the other things you can do and see, including the culinary stage.

We hope to see you out there!

Connect –

French Quarter Festival – Website, Instagram, and Facebook

Cheers and Fest Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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Pictured above, from left, clockwise, Jackie Summers, aka Jack from Brooklyn, founder of Sorel, Crystal Lilly, key accounts manager, and Josh Davis, mid-US representative and founder of Brown and Balanced.

On this edition of The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we welcome some of the folks behind Sorel Liqueur! We chat with founder Jackie Summers, along with Josh Davis and Crystal Lilly. Aside from telling you about Sorel, a Caribbean inspired liqueur connected to Jackie’s family history (and more!), we also talk about Brown and Balanced, an organization started by Josh advocating for black bartenders. Along the way, we discuss diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the drinks business.

It’s always great to have Jackie Summers, aka Jack from Brooklyn, back on the show! It was also equally great to be joined by first-time guests, Josh Davis, who handles the middle of the US for Sorel and is also the founder of Brown and Balanced, and Crystal Lilly, key accounts manager for the brand, who has ties to the Caribbean and experience working in the non-profit sector.

We talk about the story of Sorel (something we have done before) and where the journey has led them since our last visit on the topic. We discuss the Caribbean inspiration for this hibiscus liqueur and how it ties into Jackie’s story. It’s a fascinating history about the first legal black-owned distillery in the post-Prohibition US with lots of twists and turns along the way.

Additionally, Josh and Lilly let us know about their backgrounds and how they came to Sorel. Josh also lets us know about Brown and Balanced and the work they do advocating for black bartenders in the drinks business. Any conversation with Jackie and team Sorel wouldn’t be complete without discussing DEI and the advocacy they do, utilizing the brand, in the drinks business! And, of course, a chat like this also wouldn’t be complete without some good laughs and compelling conversation!

Connect:

Sorel – Website and Instagram

Jackie Summers – Instagram

Josh Davis – Instagram

Brown and Balanced – Website and Instagram

Crystal Lilly – Instagram

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias – Speed Rack and Winning Cocktails – 2024Ep03. Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix. Photos Courtesy of Speed Rack, Jim Vondruska, Erick Medsker, and Gabi Porter.

On this edition of The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we welcome Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix, co-founders of Speed Rack! We talk about that terrific organization and about their upcoming cocktail book, A Quick Drink: The Speed Rack Guide to Winning Cocktails for Any Mood.

We’re pleased to welcome Lynnette and Ivy back to the show! They are both pioneering bartenders and drinks business entrepreneurs, to be sure. Importantly, they co-founded Speed Rack, a competition for women bartenders, several years ago. The event has grown over the years and now showcases talented bartenders in regional competitions leading to a national final, now held in New Orleans during Tales of the Cocktail.

The organization and their events support worthy charities fighting breast cancer. Additionally, it has and continues to serve as an important group striving for inclusivity in the bar and drinks industries. We discuss the organization, its history, its importance, how the competitions work, and more! Of course, we also learn about their backgrounds and trendsetting careers.

To boot, Lynette and Ivy, along with co-author, Megan Krigbaum, have a new cocktail book coming out – A Quick Drink: The Speed Rack Guide to Winning Cocktail for Any Mood. We discuss the book and how it is much more than just a collection of recipes. The featured drinks are culled from women who are part of the Speed Rack community. It also boasts a wealth of info on understanding spirits, how to make great cocktails, what you need for your bar, and much more. It also lets you know a lot about Speed Rack. It’s great for both bartenders and home enthusiasts!

You can preorder it here or here. Other sellers also have it for pre-order and check your local bookseller! The book is scheduled for release on April 30, 2024.

Connect:

Lynnette Marrero – Instagram – Website – Delola

Ivy Mix – Instagram – Website – Leyenda

Speed Rack – Instagram – Website

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan

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Pictured above – Group picture from left – Chef Richard Papier, Rich Szydlo of Calliope Beer Works, and Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show at Calliope Beer Works in Uptown New Orleans.

We’ve talked beer a lot here on The NOLADrinks Show over the years. But this time around, more of our focus is talking about pairing beer with food. We’ve touched on it before but here it is a little more focused on the topic. We welcome Chef Richard Papier and proprietor and brewer of Calliope Beer Works, Rich Szydlo.

Please note – the featured interview portion of the show was taped a couple of weeks back before this news broke. Unfortunately, Calliope Beer Works is closing after tomorrow (2/24/24) due to today’s difficult hospitality environment here in New Orleans. Grab a pint if you can! We wish Rich the best in his future endeavors! There is still a lot to this interview as it relates to understanding beer pairing. Check it out!

We taped this show at Calliope Beer Works, a brewpub located in Uptown New Orleans on Oak St. Friend of the show, Chef Richard Papier of US Foods and long-time restaurant industry veteran, joins us to provide his perspective on beer pairing. We taste through a few of Rich’s beers and discuss their style and how each might work as a pairing.

Often, we probably think “wine” or maybe even “cocktails” when we think food pairing. But beer is also a great choice for the job. With so many styles and flavor profiles out there, any dish can find the right glass of suds with which to partner!

Much of what we discuss is universal to these styles or expressions of beer. We throw around some ideas of dishes or cuisines that would work well with each. We also discuss broader concepts related to beer pairing and touch on some of the advantages it can have over cocktails or even wine.

If you love food and beer, this episode is for you!

Cheers and Be Well, You All

~ Bryan

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