Award-winning, veteran bartender, Jay Jones, joins the team of Market by Jean-Georges as lead bartender.  Jones, who has been at the forefront of the local bar scene for more than a decade, brings his signature stylings to Market to showcase bar service at one of Vancouver’s destination restaurants.  Jones goes behind the bar at Market, located in Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver on Friday, January 14, 2011.

“Jay is a terrific addition to the team and he is literally going to raise the bar in Market,” said Bruno Valentino, general manager, Market by Jean-Georges.  “His beverage savvy and his reputation for being an industry leader will no doubt make the Market bar a must for locals and visitors.”

A Vancouver native, Jones has developed and lead cocktail, wine and beer programs for the city’s top restaurants and bars, including West, Nu, Salt Tasting Room,  the Donnelly Hospitality Group and Voya.  Most recently he co-created and opened Pourhouse.

“Global cocktail culture has been defined in some of the great hotel bars around the world, where the focus is on warm hospitality and refined drinks,” said Jones.  “I am excited to continue the development of cocktail culture at Market by Jean-Georges and hone the definitive hotel bar experience in Vancouver.  I am a cocktail classicist – inspired by history, but always to looking create new classics of my own and share my passion for cocktails, spirits, wine and beer with my guests.”

Jones is a Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) and holds diplomas and certification in wine and beer studies.  He is an Advisory Board Member with the BC Hospitality Foundation and a driving force of Vancouver Craft Beer Week.  As Founding Director of the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association, Jones is working to enhance the art of bartending across Canada.  His skill has also been acknowledged with numerous awards including locally, Urban Diner’s 2009 Bartender of the Year and the 2010 Westender Readers’ Choice “Best of the City” – Best Bartender.  His work in cocktail culture has been featured in several publications, including Imbibe Magazine, while his passion for all things consumable can be followed on Twitter @Barjonesing.

Market by Jean-Georges is the first restaurant in Canada for the three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and the signature restaurant of Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver.  Market, open seven days a week from breakfast through dinner, is located on the hotel’s third floor and accessible through the hotel or directly off Alberni Street.  Reservations can be made by telephone at (604) 695-1115 or via the restaurant’s website – www.marketbyjgvancouver.com