Euphoria Greenville 2016
Greenville, SC is quickly becoming a top tourist destination in South Carolina. With a growing food and beverage scene in addition to breweries like Thomas Creek Brewing, a food could have a field day. Euphoria Greenville is a four-day Fall festival that celebrates food, wine and music. Attendees have an assortment of curated seminars, music events and a lively culinary stage.
The tasting tents are full of local and regional chefs offering samples from their menus.
Taneka and I performed on the culinary stage on day 3 of Euphoria. We told the thirsty audience a bit about our business, the cocktail we created and gave a few tips for the home bartender.
We also co-hosted a craft cocktail class with the head bartender at American Grocery, Kirk Ingram. We prepared four custom cocktails as Kirk gave a brief history on mixology culture and the inspiration behind his craft cocktails. Our sold-out class had several questions and beaming feedback on the drinks.
My favorite event of Euphoria has to be the VIP party at Aloft. The open bar featured surprisingly yummy signature cocktails and there was wall-to-wall buffet including a build-your-own-taco bar!
The band was rocking and guest danced until the last song ended. Events like this give us the opportunity to meet others in the industry. We bumped into a Remy Martin representative, a regional sales manager for a major hotel chain and award-winning journalist.
Euphoria had a feel like no other festival we’ve attended. All the organizers were relaxed and professional. There easygoing attitude helped us enjoyed the festivities and Lexus Greenville made sure we arrived to all the events safely. Not to mention, our media bags were packed to the top with swag including a full-sized apron, a gourmet salt rack, and chocolate macaroons! Our calendars are already marked for Euphoria Greenville 2017.
NABHOOD Conference 2016
NABHOOD first fell on our radar due to a tweet. @HeadHotelier suggested that the conference in Miami may be of interest to us. He was right! After visiting the website, we learned that entertainment mogul Shelia C. Johnson of Salamander Hospitality and other heavy hitters in the tourism industry were members of this organization, we decided to take the trip to Florida.
It was like walking into a Caribbean Festival. The NABHOOD luncheon was preceded by a fair where tourism agencies and hotel owners invited attendees to visit their location to enjoy all their unique amenities. Many of the vendors had accents and were very interested in the connections that social media provides. Small islands like Monsarrat don’t have the assistance or budget available in major cities and rely on these events to network and market their destination locations.
At lunch, we were served a delicious and healthy meal that included mango salsa, sliced avocado and jasmine rice; very eclectic for a conference. The keynote speaker, Mr. Andy Ingram, spoke of the lack of diversity in hotel and resort ownership and even offered tips to get more minorities involved in the industry. He also spoke of the advantages that social media provides for those looking to recruit minority talent.
NABHOOD host conferences and tourism diversity summits all over the country to educate the community on the opportunities within the hospitality industry. For more information, visit
www.nabhood.net
Shake with love!
It may surprise you to learn that neither Taneka nor Johnny have any formal bartender training. Taneka has work experience in several bars and restaurants in Charleston but no one bothered to “teach” either of us how to shake a cocktail. It wasn’t until we started the Cocktail Bandits’ blog that we bought a book of cocktail recipes and most importantly, a cocktail shaker.
This basic bartender’s kit contained a shaker and other bar tools, most of which broke shortly thereafter but our home bar would never be the same. We noticed the difference a proper shake and strain can have the enjoyment of a cocktail.
As of late, our SILVERgrade shaker has been the go-to for events and home cocktail creation. The slender body aids in its handling during the “shake” and the top can be removed without a fight (a stubborn top can ruin a live demonstration or kill your flow during mass cocktail production). Our stainless steel shaker arrived with a double jigger, 2 pourers, cleaning cloth and a red velvet pouch. All the pieces can be placed inside the shaker and carried in the red bag to a pop-up event or a friends’ home.
To purchase your own SILVERgrade shaker set, visit
www.SILVERGRADE.com
Photography by Dinwiddie Photography
Nails by Jada Sanders Nails
Good Business Summit 2016
A day of business talk that felt more like a community discussion – Good Business Summit 2016. Local business owners converged at the Sottile Theater to learn, network and share ideas. Topics discussed included: diversity in the workplace, creating a corporate culture and community change.
We shared a panel with Brothers & Craft on storytelling through social media. The squad of fashionable and actual brothers, know a thing or two about marketing and brand building. They explained how their brand has collaborated with major agencies Ford Motors and hit reality show ‘Duck Dynasty’. Taneka and I shared our top tips for engaging with followers and creating unique content.
As we and other guest speakers revealed, there is no ‘secret’ to success other than hard work and a willingness to learn. The team at Lowcountry Local First should be proud of their 3rd annual conference that grows yearly and attracts keynote speakers like Matt Stinchcomb from Esty.com and Dave Dawson with The Urban Electric. Co. Next year is bound to be more informative and interactive.
Photography by Foxworthy Studios Photography
Feature Blog: by Palms In Atl
Acecily Alexander of Palms in
ATL attended our first #CharlestonTea Read about how she felt fancy with her finger out using the link below!
Tea Time with Cocktail Bandits
Take a tour from eastern China all the way to Wadmalaw, South Carolina in this afternoon session on tea and Charleston culture. Learn about the history of tea and how it ended up a staple in Charleston homes. Taste craft cocktails from the Cocktail Bandits and find out new ways to enjoy an old favorite. Plus local Tea Time treats will transport you to England and back! #CharlestonTea
Vintage + Vodka
Ex Voto Vintage paired our Cathead Vodka + Bittermilk cocktail with a gorgeous Rose necklace. Get the entire recipe and a little about The Southern C on their blog!
Bubbly enthusiast and food blogger @basilandbubbly photographed our experience filming #MoveableFeast for national PBS. Read her blog to learn more about our curator Charleston feast!
http://basilandbubbly.com/2016/05/moveable-feast-cocktail-bandits/
Road Trip Series: Satisfy Your Thirst SC
Those South Carolinians have always had a thirst for unique beverages. From moonshine and craft beer to sweet tea, hear about Southern drinks from the “curly ladies who talk cocktails daily!”
In this seminar, led by South Carolina’s Cocktail Bandits, guests will taste the history and tradition of the Palmetto State. Join the adventure and discover the craftsmanship and stories behind some of the state’s most iconic drinks.
Link to class below:
http://sched.co/6WhU
Graphic by Taylor Brown
Destination Delicious – Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 2016
We’re building the ultimate road trip with delicious chef creations, fantastic libations, live music and our favorite Southern destinations. Presented by The Local Palate, Destination Delicious will showcase the flavors and traditions of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and more.
Join us during Destination Delicious during Atlanta Food & Wine Festival on June 2nd at 7:30. We are serving this summer cocktail featuring Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, @drinkbittermilk and hand made Palmetto Roses by @fletcherwilliamsiii
Cocktail Photography by Marianne Rogers @basilandbubbly
