It was nice to be a fly on the wall for this industry only seminar, in part with Vancouver Cocktail Week.
Here, I was thinking the festival was for the consumer, completely disregarding the fact that practicing bartenders and aspirating bar staff would take interest in attending some of the sessions. Many of the topics covered and the tastings made available would be of value to those working in the industry as well.
I got to sit in on this industry-only seminar, presented by the Canadian World Class winning team, exploring hospitality in Canada and discussing how to create your own award-worthy drinks for competition.
The panel includes familiar faces in the Vancouver drink scene. Kaitlyn Stewart, World Class Canada Winner and Global Winner 2017. Chris Enns, World Class Canada Winner 2018. Jeff Savage, World Class Canada Winner 2019 and Global Runner Up 2019. And the most recent inductee Keegan McGregor, World Class Canada Winner and Global Winner 2024.
The setting was Jeff’s premium bar during off hours. We had the run of the space and formed a share circle with our panelists seated in a row, addressing the audience of local bartenders. A few of which I have seen compete on a smaller scale. This was a privilege my passion for reporting has alotted me.
The afternoon began with each winner telling their stories. The humble starts of each World Class superstar, how they got into the industry, why they were compelled to compete, and how the win has changed their life.
They talked the room through the anxiety holding anyone back and encouraged the taking of the plunge into the world of competition. How this is the opportunity to make a drink in front of a judge you have always wanted to meet, and possibly win a trip to somewhere you never thought you would go.
This was followed by potential set back and heart break. Reframing it to everything happens for a reason, and that the “best and right person always wins”. The group shared vulnerabilities and discussed how to bounce back after a loss, many of our panelists having lost World Class the years before, only to come back and win their year.
They unimously agreed that it was healthy to be sad and to mourn the loss, allowing yourself to feel. Although encouraged the acknowledgement of having done something that most people have not. Something that most find challenging and many others did not even bother to try.
Chris shared the advice of not aiming to win, but to instead focusing on doing your best with a goal of beating your personal best. The result, going in grateful for the skill and ability to do this and showing gratitude for where you are.
Kaitlyn said it best with the borrowed quote, “ Comparison is the thief of joy”.
The group spoke to the community, having several mentors, sharing to exchange ideas. How anyone can add value to your craft and being open to critiques. That if someone doesn’t offer a critique, they may be the wrong person to ask when looking for feedback, but a great guest at your bar.
And when considering your competition entry and your presentation outlook, view it as if someone is giving you a microphone and a platform for 15 minutes, so what do you want to share?
There was a good focus on what judges are looking for when in a competition, Kaitlyn Stewart taking the lead, as she is just as notable for her judging work as she is for her competition success. Her advice is to approach your process with child-like wonder. To ask why and question everything, and if done right and you know the answers to all of them, you are sitting pretty and won’t be caught off guard from any of the questions a judge may ask. Why the technique? Why the glass? Why the garnish?
The second half of the session was a sharing of ideas and throwing discussion topics to the audience.
My biggest takeaway as a cocktail enthusiast, and non-tender is learning that bigger is better and it is okay to be the one with the stand out presentation as long as it is true to you. It is not about what you think they are looking for, but about you showing them who you are: unabashedly yourself. “This is who I am, this is how I dress, and these are my stories that make me unique”, Jeff Savage.
As we sat and engaged we were treated to a couple of cocktails to further discussion. The James Grant martini comes out of Library Bar at Fairmont Royal York Toronto. This was a martini they have had on their menu since they opened. Each bar manager and head bartender that comes on has done their own take on it, this is James Grant’s verison of the “Birthbath Luxe.” It includes fortified wines, fino sherry, orange bitters, sweet vermouth, and a butter and olive oil distilete. It was a sophisticate martini befitting of the posh setting and the quality company. It was a savoury start with a juicy saline end. Cohesive and a clean mouth feel.
In closing, this was a great share session, although industry specific, there is plenty of good wisdom and advice in the room to help you with general success and positive outlook in life. I enjoyed myself and left inspired.
Prophecy Bar
801 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1P7
(604) 336-3383
prophecybar.com
