CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT ELIT AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR COCKTAIL? elit Vodka to their friends is all about purity. The mix of wheat and rye along with the artesian water from the Russian city of Samara, makes this triple-distilled vodka the perfect choice for cocktails. It is also filtered through Russian birch charcoal and quartz sand, creating a refined spirit with versatility and sophistication. I love blood oranges! The excitement of cutting into one to reveal the colour inside is like biting into a clinker as a kid. They are also delicious. With their season fast coming to an end I wanted to get in one last delight. This drink is to be enjoyed in the spring sunshine. WELCOME BACK TO THE T25! WHAT’S HAPPENED FOR YOU IN THE LAST YEAR PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY? This last year has been great! Building a somewhat new team with fresh faces has been our main focus. We’re into our groove now and going from strength to strength. The launch of a new cocktail menu has been a collective effort allowing everyone to make a mark. Eight months in the making, the drinks are flying over the bar now, and it’s something we are incredibly proud of. It has been another big year for Black Pearl with nominations for Tales, Australian Bartender and the ALIAs. I was humbled with a nomination for Bar Manager of the Year at this year’s ALIAs. I also scraped in at number 90 in the Top 100 Most Influential list at Sydney Bar Week Speed Rack came to Australia last year and was one of my highlights. Making it to the top four in the inaugural year was
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very special. Women in the industry have a spotlight and a stronger network than ever before. We’re in the middle of season two, and it’s only going to get better! Working the late nights and long hours in an intense environment can take a toll on your body and mind. I find it important to take a decent break every year. So this year I headed over to Mexico to soak up the sun and feed my soul and stomach. I took the opportunity to participate in the Fortaleza Bartender Work Program that consisted of working alongside the jimadors and distillers from the field to the bottle. It was a phenomenal experience, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get a deeper understanding and appreciation for agave spirits. WHO’S IN YOUR FANTASY LEAGUE BAR TEAM? Harriet Leigh (GM- Generally Mischievous) Alex Ross (HR- Hilariously Raunchy) Jen Wake (BM- Badass Mentor) Dominique Easter (Wine wench) Rachelle Hair (Knife sharpener) Kitty Gardner (Flavour Wizard) Jemima McDonald (Beer Bish) Ashling Barret & Stephanie Haile (Dance Choreographers) SHARE WITH US THE GOOD, THE BAD AND WHAT IS EXCITING ABOUT THE CURRENT SCENE IN AUSTRALIA. I’m loving the venues popping up with creative use of space. Cantina Ok! in Sydney, Mono XO in Melbourne and Sho (the small front seating at Shobosho) in Adelaide are particular standouts. TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW. I have an irrational fear of cats.