The Refinery and Cointreau (Select Wines) proudly present the sixth installment of Cocktail Kitchen : Season Two, “Morocco” VS Cointreau, coming August 2011. This is the final month of qualifications for bartenders before the finals begin in September. This is also the final season of Cocktail Kitchen.
This weekly series promotes creativity and innovation within the realm of restaurant bartending. Now celebrating our one year anniversary, the Cocktail Kitchen Series has moved 30 unique bartenders through the competition as they play host to a sold out crowd on their designated date. Every Wednesday throughout August, a different bartender will attempt to pair three courses with three cocktails*. Sounds simple enough for the average bartender, but rest assured that you’ll need more than charm and a sparkling smile to wow this crowd!
Schedule:
Wednesday August 03 – Jacob Sweetapple – Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
Wednesday August 10 – Heather Yau – Shangri-La “Lobby Lounge” & Cin-Cin
Wednesday August 17 – Colin MacDougall – Blue Water Cafe
Wednesday August 24 – Keith Trusler – Blue Water Cafe
Wednesday August 31 – Lauren Mote – The Refinery
Menu:
by Ben de Champlain
Course 1:
Chickpea Soup:
Toasted african spice, dried fruit, preserved lemons and chilies
Course 2:
Chicken & Cous-Cous:
Orange and ginger braised chicken with saffron, served with Algerian cous-cous
Course 3:
Za’atar Rubbed Lamb & Lentils:
7 spiced lamb sirloin served on top of stewed lentils
About The Cocktail Kitchen Series:
The Cocktail Kitchen Series is the brain-child of The Refinery’s head bartender, Lauren Mote. Each month, a different spirit sponsor takes the reigns. Each month’s menu is designed its around regional fare, with a distinctly west-coast spin. Bartenders are selected to compete based on their enthusiasm, and dedication to advancing their bartending careers beyond the wood. This program has seen at least 40% apprentice bartenders, or those with less than 2-3 years experience in the industry. We have used this as a means to develop one of the largest apprentice bartending competitions in British Columbia. Both fun and innovative, the Cocktail Kitchen Series allows bartenders to take the feature spirit and create three different cocktails that pair to a simple yet challenging menu. Presentation and perception is everything as bartenders present their pairings to a sold out room of media, peers and patrons with ballots. At the end of the month, the winning bartender will have a chance to compete in the showdown after 6 months, where the 4 highest scoring bartenders are invited back with a clean-slate and a new set of food and spirit challenges.
We have made it super simple for our guests. Book online here and select the month you’re interested in. Then select the bartender who’s dinner you’d like to attend, and follow the link to our secure payment page. It’s as simple as that. In addition to a kick-ass good time, one of our guests will be eligible to win a trip to Nicaragua with Flor de Cana Rum in October 2011 as a “thank you” for participating! All this can be yours for $35 per person!
For more information, please visit www.therefineryvancouver.com or call 604-687-8001
*Bartenders must make their competition cocktails with a dominating presence of Cointreau. They are free to use whatever ingredients they like, however one must be a Refinery Bitters or Vermouth.**
