About me
I was currently featured on the Iron Chef America competition with Mario Batali, “Battle Mango”, and just released my first DVD “Modern Mixology: Making Great Cocktails at Home” (February 2007). Most notably featured demonstrating the art of cocktail preparation on the Fine Living Network program “Raising the Bar: America’s Best Bar Chefs,” I grew up in the bar business, learning the craft from my cousin Helen David at the Brass Rail Bar in Port Huron, Michigan. My initial introduction to the business was steeped in the tradition of classic cocktails and professional barmanship, grooming me to become a leader in the beverage industry.
After graduating from college, I learned an appreciation for a well made cocktail using only the freshest ingredients at Jack Slick's Balboa Café in San Francisco. In 1990, I assisted with the opening of "Harry Denton's", a legendary hangout in Fog City. In 1993, I moved to New York City where I worked with Mario Batali at Po in the West Village. In 1995, I returned to San Francisco and re-joined Harry Denton to open "Harry Denton's Starlight Room", atop the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. It was here that I created his first "Specialty Drink Menu" featuring several of my original cocktail recipes including the Cable Car, Sunsplash, and Starlight.
In 1998, I was hand-picked by Steve Wynn to create the cocktail program at his Bellagio Resort. I immediately implemented my philosophy of bartending and drink preparation - quality ingredients and proper technique create great drinks - developing the hundreds of original cocktails for the resorts 22 bars. Currently, I operate my own beverage consulting firm specializing in bar staff training, product education and cocktail development.
As the National Ambassador of the US Bartenders Guild, http://www.usbg.org/, and Associate Member of the Museum of the American Cocktail, http://www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/, I continues to educate about the history and lore of cocktails as well as lead the bar industry into continually improving the art of the cocktail. I lives in Las Vegas where I hone my craft daily by creating, sharing and enjoying the very best cocktails.
Additional Services
My DVD can be purchased at http://www.modernmixologydvd.com/
United States Chef
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August 14, 2008These drink recipes look awesome! I've never had a cable car...but I've saved it and will try for our next dinner party. Thanks for sharing!
