Ananas

In this episode of our ANANAS Podcast we’re talking to Sean Finter, the Founder and CEO of BarMetrix, a company that works with bars and restaurant groups to optimize their profits.

In this episode, I have a fellow Norwegian with us; Monica Berg is an internationally acclaimed bar professional and entrepreneur who currently resides in London, where she recently opened her first bar, Tayer + Elementary to much acclaim. She is also a co-founder of P(our) with Alex Kratena, a co-owner and founder of Muyu liqueurs, as well an online safe space for workers in the hospitality industry, called Back of House.

In this episode, we have Jack McGarry from the Dead Rabbit in NYC joining us. As far as bartending royalty goes, few are as famous or as accomplished as Jack. The winner of the 2013 International Bartender of the Year award, and the co-owner of the Dead Rabbit with Sean Muldoon; a venue that has won numerous international awards including the prestigious gongs for World’s Best Bar, World’s best Cocktail Bar, World’s Best Drinks Menu and many many more. But there’s more to Jack than being a great bartender. In addition to opening Dead Rabbit, and then Black Tail, Jack and Sean have also co-authored three books, and are currently planning both national and international expansion of their Dead Rabbit Brand, something we’ll be touching on in our conversation.

In this episode we have the one and only Raj Nagra. Raj was recently visiting Sydney for the launch of his Bartender Boxing Organisation during Sydney Bar week and managed to find some time in his hectic schedule to visit us here at Ananas, where we enjoyed some fine whisky, a few shots of tequila, and of course some great banter

In this episode we have the wonderful and inspirational Camille Vidal joining us. Camille, is currently based in the UK, but recently visited Australia as part of the Sydney Bar Week to host a series of La Maison Wellness classes as well as participating in a number of talks and events throughout the week.

In this episode, we are turning the tables and asked YOU ask the questions, to host Sven Almenning

In this episode we talk to, perhaps the most passionate industry professional that I know: the powerhouse and living industry legend, Dean Callan I have known Dean for a long time and had the pleasure to have him work with us at Behind Bars back in the early days of his career Since then Dean has travelled the world and made a name for himself as an encyclopedia of knowledge, an absolute firecracker of passion looked up-to by thousands of bartenders around the world

In this episode, we have Maurice Terzini, a living hospitality legend, style icon and one of the most creative operators I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

In this episode we have the amazing Justine Baker joining us – Justine is the CEO of the Solotel group, which includes iconic venues such as the Opera Bar, The Golden Sheaf, and Kings Cross Hotel to mention just three of the ca 30 venues that form part of their business. I first met Justine a year or so ago or so when I was looking into how we could improve the number of female managers and leaders across our bar and restaurant business, and the conversation we had then left me super inspired and I have wanted to interview her for our Podcast ever since. Whether you’re just starting out in hospitality or you’re a manager or an owner yourself, there is a lot to learn from Justine’s approach to hospitality, management, team building and just life in general.

In this episode, we have Dave Spanton joining us. Dave is the founder and managing Director of the Spanton Media Group, which includes the Australian Bartender Magazine, Sydney Bar Week and the Australian Bar Awards, to mention just a few of the things he runs. If you work in the Australian Bar industry, you should know of this guy. Dave launched Australian Bartender Magazine 20 years ago this year, and the mag is still going strong and remains a key pillar and driving force in the Australian Bar Industry today.

In this episode we have Anton Forte joining us – Anton is the founder and owner of the infamous Swillhouse group of bars and restaurants which now counts a total of 5 venues in Sydney. Bar nerds are bound to have heard of his first venue, Shady Pines Saloon as well as his famous whisky and cocktail bar Baxter Inn which has won numerous awards and also made it into the top ten list on the World’s Best 50 Bars. Foodies will no doubt know of Hubert, a two hat restaurant in Sydney CBD which won Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Restaurant of the Year.

In this episode we have Kylie Javier Ashton joining us. Kylie is the General Manager for Momofuku Seiōbo in Sydney – one of Australia’s most famous and renowned restaurants – and is also our curator for our Customer Service modules on Ananas. In addition to Momofuku she also has a hand in managing the wine list for her husband, Luke Ashton’s, award winning cocktail bar: This Must be the Place, as well as taking part as a judge in the Appetite for Excellence Awards, and participating in a number of other industry initiatives.

In this episode we have Phil Bayly, for those who don’t know, widely considered to be one of the greatest experts on Tequila and Mescal in the world – which is why he’s also the curator for all our Tequila and Mescal training content on Ananas. Phil has even been appointed as an official Mescal Ambassador by the Mexican Government, and was the first person in the world to receive this accolade.

In this episode we have Simon Ford joining us – Simon is the founder and Managing Director of the 86 Co, a boutique spirits company which launched in 2012, and includes amongst other brands the award winning Ford’s Gin. Simon Ford has to be one of the most highly regarded bar professionals in the world. He won the prestigious title for International Brand Ambassador of the year at the Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail as far back as 2007, and then again for US Brand Ambassador of the Year in 2009, both times for his work on Plymouth Gin.

In this episode we have Jacob Briars the global advocacy director for Bacardi, and one of the most well liked and highly respected bar professionals in the world. Although originally from NZ, Jacob is currently based out of the U.S, but managed to find some time to pop into our Ananas office on a recent visit to Australia.

In this second episode of the Ananas Podcast, Sven Almenning chats to Coleman’s Academy Founder, T.O.T.C. Dame Hall of Fame inductee and Australia’s first woman to take out Bartender of the Year at the Australian Liquor Industry Awards, Paige Aubort.

In this very first Ananas Podcast Sven talks with Tim Philips, the multi-award-winning bartender & bar owner. Tim is perhaps the world’s most awarded bartender having won both the titles of U.K & Australian Bartender of the Year, as well as taking home the global title of World Class Bartender of the Year.