Bittered Sling Bistro
We are proud to introduce you to “Bittered Sling Bistro” – a bi-weekly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver. This event is hosted by Kale & Nori’s award-winning mixologist, Lauren Mote and Chef Jonathan Chovancek. This is Vancouver’s longest running and biggest cocktail and food-pairing competition, offering a high level creative event for apprentice and veteran bartenders across British Columbia. This event is proudly sponsored by the Canadian Professional Bartender’s Association.
Lauren Mote starts our evening off, with a unique and palate-cleansing cocktail, with our feature spirit and Bittered Sling Extracts, accompanied by delicious and beautifully paired hors d’oeuvres, in the gorgeous foyer of Legacy Liquor Store. Their vaulted ceilings, spirit displays and living wall create a dynamic setting for this exciting and interactive event. Guests are guided though a bartender-friendly spirit tasting, led by our host bartender, offering up invaluable information about why bartenders love this particular spirit, and what it means to them. The rest of the evening is rather indulgent; Kale & Nori’s Chef Jonathan Chovancek creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit’s wide range of notes and character, and the addition of a Bittered Sling Extract. Each course is accompanied by a expertly paired cocktail by the host bartender. Following the dinner, our guests will be invited to rate the bartender’s presentation and pairing skills. The top scoring bartenders at the end of the program will compete for a grand prize.This six month program offers 6 veteran and 6 apprentice bartenders their chance to promote their style and character in an creative way. This is all about spirit – in both the bartender and the bottle.
Season Three (March – October 2013):
Wed. March 06 2013 “World of Whiskies” with Jay Jones, Executive Bartender & Brand Ambassador, Donnelly Group, sponsored by Beam Global (Alberta Premium Dark Horse, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Highland Park)
Wed. March 20 2013 “World of Whiskies” with Lauren Mote, Owner of Kale & Nori | Bittered Sling Extracts, sponsored by Beam Global (Alberta Premium Dark Horse, Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Highland Park)
Wed. April 03 2013 “When Tiki Attacks!” with Evelyn Chick, Blue Water Cafe, sponsored by The Kirkwood Group (Leblon Cachaca, Flor de Cana)
Wed. April 17 2013 “When Tiki Attacks!” with Don Wheeler, Legacy Liquor Store | The Modern Bartender, sponsored by The Kirkwood Group (Leblon Cachaca, Flor de Cana)
Wed. May 08 2013 “Coastal Mexican Experience” with Marc Smolinski, A Drinker’s Peace | Max’s Burgers, sponsored by Onilikan (Agave & Mango Aguardiente(s); Agave & Mango Licor(s) )
Mon. May 27 2013 “Coastal Mexican Experience” with Lauren Mote, Owner of Kale & Nori | Bittered Sling Extracts, sponsored by Onilikan (Agave & Mango Aguardiente(s); Agave & Mango Licor(s) )
Tues. June 11 2013 “Truly Canadian Terroir” with Micah Jensen, Bar Manager of Raudz Regional Table, Kelowna BC, sponsored by Okanagan Spirits
Tues. June 25 2013 “Truly Canadian Terroir” with John Richard, The Vancouver Club, sponsored by Okanagan Spirits
Wed. July 10 2013 “Global Cocktail Colonialism” with Gerry Jobe of Brown-Forman “southern spirits portfolio”, sponsored by Brown-Forman Canada
Wed. July 31 2013 “Global Cocktail Colonialism” with Trevor Kallies, The Donnelly Group, sponsored by Brown-Forman Canada
Wed. August 14 2013 “Mardi Gras vs. Carnival” with Grant Sceney, The Fairmont Pacific Rim, sponsored by PMA Canada
Wed. August 28 2013 “Mardi Gras vs. Carnival” with Robyn Gray, Pidgin, sponsored by PMA Canada
Wed. September 11 2013 “Coloured Collar; Upper Middle Class” with Cooper Tardivel, Hawksworth Restaurant, sponsored by The Kirkwood Group (Pierre Ferrand Cognac & Dry Curacao; Cherry Heering)
Wed. September 25 2013 “Coloured Collar; Upper Middle Class” with Justin Taylor, Four Seasons Vancouver, sponsored by The Kirkwood Group (Pierre Ferrand Cognac & Dry Curacao; Cherry Heering)
Wed. October 09 2013 “Heavy Metal Monks” with TBA, TBA, sponsored by Renaissance Wine Merchants (Chartreuse, Fernet Branca & Carpano)
Wed. October 23 2013 | Bittered Sling Bistro S3 ”Heavy Metal Monks” with Shawn Soole of Little Jumbo (Victoria), sponsored by Renaissance Wine Merchants (Chartreuse, Fernet Branca & Carpano)
Wed. November 06 2013 | Bittered Sling Bistro S3 ”European Invasion” with TBA of TBA, sponsored by Charton Hobbs (sponsored by Glenmorangie Scotch Whisky, Hennessey Cognac and Ardbeg Scotch Whisky)
Wed. November 20 2013 | Bittered Sling Bistro S3 ”European Invasion” with TBA of TBA, sponsored by Charton Hobbs (sponsored by Glenmorangie Scotch Whisky, Hennessey Cognac and Ardbeg Scotch Whisky)
Date TBA BSB Finals, Location TBA
Season Two (May – October 2012):
Wed May 09 2012 Jay Jones, Market by Jean-Georges VS. Don Julio Tequila
Wed May 23 2012 Lauren Mote, Kale & Nori VS. Don Julio
* featuring guest: Kevin Venagas, Don Julio Brand Ambassador
Wed June 06 2012 Robyn Gray, Hotel Georgia VS. Gentleman Jack
Tues June 19 2012 Trevor Kallies, Donnelly Group VS. Gentleman Jack
Wed July 04 2012 Graham Racich, The Refinery VS. Brugal Rum
Wed July 18 2012 Jason Browne, Calabash Bistro VS. Brugal Rum
* featuring guest: Dan Volway, Brugal Rum Global Brand Ambassador
Wed August 08 2012 Ben de Champlain, Boneta VS. Campari International
Wed August 29 2012 Josh Boudreau, Veneto Tapa Lounge VS. Campari International
Wed September 12 2012 Grant Sceney, Fairmont Pacific Rim VS. Flor de Cana Rum
Wed September 26 2012 David Wolowidnyk, West Restaurant VS. Flor de Cana Rum
Wed October 10 2012 Gerry Jobe, Raudz Regional Table, Kelowna VS. Wild Turkey Bourbon 81 (new to Canada)
Wed October 24 2012 Justin Taylor, Yew Restaurant, Four Seasons Vancouver VS. Wild Turkey Bourbon 81 (new to Canada)
Sun November 18 2012 BSB Finals, The Keefer Bar
Season One (November – April 2012):
Tues November 08 2011 Jay Jones, Market by Jean-Georges VS. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Tues November 22 2011 Arthur Wynne, Union Bar VS. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Tues December 06 2011 Marlo Panucci, Market by Jean-Georges VS. Campari International
Tues December 20 2011 Colin MacDougall, Blue Water Cafe VS. Campari International
Tues January 10 2012 Graham Racich, The Refinery VS. Flor de Cana Rum
Tues January 24 2012 Danielle Tatarin, The Keefer Bar VS. VS. Flor de Cana Rum
Wed February 08 2012 John Richard, Vancouver Club VS. Zubrowka Vodka
Wed February 29 2012 Gerry Jobe, Raudz Regional Table VS. Zubrowka Vodka
Wed March 14 2012 Grant Sceney, Fairmont Pac Rim VS. Hendrick’s Gin
Wed March 28 2012 Ben de Champlain, Boneta VS. Hendrick’s Gin
Wed April 11 2012 Evelyn Chick, UVA Wine Bar VS. Okanagan Spirits
Wed April 25 2012 David Wolowidnyk VS. Okanagan Spirits
Mon April 30 2012 BSB Finals, Ginger62 Night Club with Hangar One Vodka & Kraken Spiced Rum
* Winner, Gerry Jobe, Raudz Regional Table, and Dory Dynna, guest raffle.