Campari America's lovable Mike Capoferri travels the states sharing the finest sips of Italian Amari's and bringing his down to earth charm to every room he enters. A southern gentleman by trade, his interests and creativity converged in the hospitality industry. From Georgia to Los Angeles, Mike has been traversing across every role behind the bar. Now in his most visible, and impactful role yet, how do you help people fall in love with Italian amaris? We chat parents, free college, canons, and more.
Unlimited Liabilities is an apt name for the 2 hospitality legends Danny Ronen and Russell Davis. We sit down to talk about their new Austin establishment Academia: a cocktail bar for intellectuals and everyone in between. The chat spans the 80's, UT parties, archeology and everything in between.
Kimberly Patton-Bragg, or KPB to most, is a creative and lively force in the cocktail scene. From days in New York acting, to a pursuit for the silver screen, her life has been anything but boring. KPB is an aspiring writer and Tiki fanatic who shares delicious drams in New Orleans. What does this incredible journey and life look like on the page however? We chat Duran Duran, Ted Bundy, Rum, and more...
New York hospitality veteran Ms Franky Marshall is a culmination of art, language, and culture. An aspirational musician and teacher, Franky became acclimated to traveling at a very early age. This curiosity about the world and languages has driven her to all corners of the globe. As an influential female force in the New York cocktails scene, her career now takes a turn into the wonderful field of French Aperitif wines. The beautiful category known as Pineau des Charentes is filled with a brilliant snapshot of French terroir and elegant sweetness. We chat music, psychic tendencies, love, and more.
The Balvenie's Jonathan Wingo sits down with me to co-host a 10 song playlist with paired whiskies. We intro the tracks and talk about why whisky is the best thing to pair with music. Some great bottles, and even greater songs in the mix. Sit back, tune in, and enjoy this great playlist. Get the Spotify playlist here! With 2 extra tracks.
Born and raised in Mexico, Carlos Sada took a deep interest in learning everything possible to build a long-lasting lucrative career. After obtaining his masters degree in Australia, he sought out opportunities to apply his entrepreneurial spirit. As a brief stint in the hospitality intersected with agave spirits, Carlos was introduced to mezcal. Years later, his interest of mezcal and business have combined to market the fine mezcal of Marca Negra. We chat War on Drugs, Germany, San Martin, and more.
Adrina Miller, aka- AdrinAdrina has dedicated her life to creating and facilitating the creativity of others. From studies in London to art curation in New Orleans, the world has inspired Adrina in immeasurable ways. Perhaps the greatest inspiration emerged from Mexico. And after developing an intimate relationship with Mezcal, Adrina and her partner Elliott Coon developed Gem & Bolt a beautiful Mezcal infused with Damiana. The creative process is now perpetual as the brand takes root in the US. We chat Billy Idol, art communes, London, and more.
The respected and influential New Yorker Duane Fernandez Jr has finally settled into his new home of Texas. One year in the making, he's transformed and built an amazing team for Bacardi in Texas (and beyond). His knowledge, wisdom, and desire to connect makes him an indispensable part of the hospitality community. From humble beginnings, his love of art and performance has taken him into multiple directions, but ultimately the life changing hospitality industry stole his heart. We chat Harvey, Scotch, Rusty Nail's, and more...
Andres A Chopite-Parra watched the revolution from within Venezuela. From a deeply religious upbringing to crafting cocktail concoctions from across the bar, his path was far from boring. With deep interests in law, travel, and the human condition, Andres' journey led him to Florida and London just to taste freedom outside of his politically tumultuous homeland. A quick passion for hospitality developed and years later, Andres is reconnected with his home via the delicious Santa Teresa Rum. We chat health, Emo music, London, and more.
A thriving career in finance provided riches, opportunities, and empowered bad behavior for SugarRimBar owner Cory Brim. Living life at the top with money to spare, Cory's career was deeply effected by the stock market crash in the the late 2000's. Forced to put the pieces together, and rebuild his career, Cory rose from the ashes to become an inspirational author, speaker, and business owner. We talk about financial health, fatherhood, and Facebook live.
Sometimes the path to success veers far away from where you originally thought. For Sean Finter CEO and founder of Barmetrix, the Canadian dream of playing professional hockey was a short lived reality. Leaving town and trying to understand his purpose, Sean dove into hospitality as a dish washer. Learning lessons about hard work, proficiency, and focus, he continued to expand his roles in hospitality. And ultimately, he became one of most notable experts in efficiency, profitability, and passion in the bar industry. Now sharing his experiences and best practices for operations, Barmetrix is the industry standard in hospitality optimization. We chat education, Canada, love, and success. His latest Bar Business Breakthrough Summit will take place on November 5-7, 2017. Applications to attend are do by 10/15/17, learn more HERE.
The ambitious and musical New Yorker Andy Mauer has worked his way through the ranks in the cocktail community to now serve Texas as the Brand Manager for Anchor Spirits. When sports and punk rock collided, Andy started his illustrious career as a local record store employee. The experience combined logistics, art, and sparked a desire to being even more creative. Many career advancements and social opportunities later, Andy set his sights on Texas. Here he has made the biggest impact yet. We chat Kurt Russell, S&M, Houston, and more.
It's been a good few years here at Show de Vie. Lots of great chats, lots of great guests, and some amazing spirits sipped in the process. To commemorate over 200 episodes of SDV, the lovely Shid Barrett of Seven Grand & Las Perlas hosts and asks the questions (both from him and previous guests) We talk about it all. Thank you so much everyone for the continued support!
A deep career in California's tech industry collided with a love of flavor and food. Event director of Whiskies of the World, Douglas Smith, discovered that whiskey and its ability to pair beautifully with food had an unparalleled allure. This spark for whiskey passion was then ignited. The renowned Whiskies of the World event sells out in Austin and San Francisco regularly and now the amazing exhibition is heading to Houston this Saturday 9/30 for a new leg. Attendees have the pleasure of sipping wonderful spirits from around the globe all in one room. However, it's no easy task to develop and tour this brilliant event. We chat San Francisco, conversations, religion, and more.
As alcohol remains a taboo subject in India, the emergence of Indian whiskies distributed across the globe indicate a change in the times. Michael D'Souza, master distiller for Paul John Whiskey loves to discuss the tropical differences in Goa, India that lend their influence on one of the most intriguing flavor profiles in modern spirits. Working his way through the ranks at PJW, Michael finally found his home blending and distilling an amazing Indian spirit. We chat astrology, whiskey culture, and Catholicism.
Politics, Polynesia, proof, and more. Martin Cate is one of the premiere minds in the Tiki movement. From a flowery shirt to his love of the halcyon beach escape days, his penchant for hosting and rum reaches its apex at San Francisco's Smuggler's Cove. Tiki is not only a cocktail movement but also a cultural one and Martin has captured its essence in his new book "Smuggler's Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki" We chat Depeche Mode, Gin, OFTD origin stories, and more.
Lifetime New Yorker, Stilo Pimentel has built a beautiful career out of his love of aesthetic and fashion. With crime all around and a seemingly small chance of leaving the tough neighborhood of his youth, Stilo used the inspiration of his family and art to build a larger life. Decades later, hospitality has defined so many chapters of his career. But as he finally leaves New York for Florida (in hurricane season) and begins his travels as the ambassador for Banks rum, where will his career take him next? We chat The Police, Wes Anderson, and Employees Only.
A natural caregiver, hospitality talent, and creative mind, USBG Austin's president Alexis Mijares is quickly making a name for herself in the national cocktail community. The Santa Rosa native with a penchant for flavors and fashion textiles came to Austin just a few years ago and has built an impressive resume. Now waiting for the looming Midnight Cowboy menu launch, Alexis set sights on the next cocktail competition and expanding her knowledge of the spirits industry. We chat the Grand Canyon, love, and dissolved friendships.
From early days in Florida to college antics at Texas State University, Olamaie's Erin Ashford epitomizes hospitality and possesses a deep curiosity about people. A familiar tale of a college degree not providing the opportunity that the burgeoning Austin hospitality could. Years later, she's reaching a creative apex and is evolving alongside the Austin cocktail renaissance. We chat Rum, Contigo, biscuits, and more.
French spirits and food are steeped in tradition. The terroir of France has given birth to some of the finest wines, cheeses, and brandies the world has ever seen. However, this deep tradition often lies as an obstacle in the face of innovation and creativity. Francois Thibault leveraged his many years of winemaking, Cognac distilling, and public service to create one of the biggest disruptions in France, Grey Goose Vodka. Made with winter wheat and a sense of rebelliousness, Francois is the ultimate Vodka pioneer. We chat fatherhood, tradition, and pastries.
Hailing from Garland, Texas, hospitality was not the initial path for Grey Goose's Ian Reilly. With a deep interest in experiences, writing, and philosophical thought, Ian pursued his passion for people via the pen on the page. But as his path became clearer, his best work was done behind the bar. His shift into brand work evolved into a deeper connection with the hospitality community and with himself. New to the Grey Goose team, what challenges does Ian see in the market and how will he address them? We talk writing, Gemini's, Francois Thibault, and more....
A man of the stage, spirits, and culture at large, Sergio Mendoza is a invaluable mind in the world of agave. His family has been making Tequila for many generations and after traveling abroad pursuing the arts, Sergio returned with an amazing Tequila creation, Don Fulano. As Sergio continues to educate the world on sustainability, production methods, and 360 degree operations for Tequila, his latest project Derrumbes Mezcal shows that innovation is still possible for a Mezcal brand. We chat Marlon Brando, sustainability, and San Antonio.
Eduardo Orendein comes from a deeply influential family in the town of Tequila. The Orendein family is one of the founding families of Tequila. Their spirits have been available for over a hundred years and the flavors of their Tequila Arette line are remarkable. Eduardo found himself naturally continuing the work of his father and is now the master distiller for Tequila Arette. His shift to sales and being the face of Arette is a new one. Is it the challenge one would expect? We chat agave fields, Brown-Forman, autoclaves, and more.
With their daughter's mental and physical health as the main priority, Campari's Anne-Louise Marquis childhood was focused on learning about everything the world had to offer. This enlightened and inquisitive youth found ALM studying ancient cultures, science, and performance. Her fondness for the stage, both in terms of production and creation, ultimately led her to L.A. where her brush with hospitality became more impactful. Now traveling broadly sharing the fine sips and stories of Wild Turkey, Campari, Espolon Tequila, and more, what's next for the enlivening personality? We talk balance, sharing, oversharing, and tradition.
With a rich love of animals, travel, and creating, Leyenda's Ivy Mix remains one of the strongest female mentors in the hospitality industry. Being an identical twin raised by 2 deeply artistic parents, Ivy's trajectory was always influenced by openness and curiosity. After a life changing trip to Guatemala, the threads of hospitality started to take root in Ivy's career. Now as a force behind Brooklyn's Leyenda, what is next for Ivy and her fight for women in this industry? We chat speed rack, mezcal, Singani 63, and more.