Dates for the next Manhattan Cocktail Classic have been set for May 13-17, 2011. Organizers say they’re welcoming “any and all thoughts, comments, ideas and feedback you may have. … If you would like to ramp up your involvement in the festival — whether as a presenter, an event host or organizer, or as a brand, corporate, or media partner — we'd love to have you on board.” Their aim is to release the 2011 Partnership Deck (complete with event proposal info) in September. If you’d like to get involved, find more info at http://manhattancocktailclassic.com/.
At the 2010 SF Starchefs opening reception in August, expect to see 15 Romolo’s Greg Lindgren, Absinthe’s Carlos Yturria, Bourbon and Branch’s Joel Baker, Cantina’s Duggan McDonnell, the Fifth Floor’s Jacques Bezuidenhout, Rye’s Jon Gasparini and Tiki King Martin Cate for Smuggler’s Cove working the mahogany. Seminars that weekend include Simon Ford on gin, Eric Rubin of Tres Agave on tequila and the Margarita, and H. Joseph Ehrmann of Elixir, Greg Lindgen of Rye and Rye on the Road, and Mister Mojito David Nepove on innovative Bloody Marys.
Erick Castro, currently general manager of Rickhouse in San Francisco, has signed up to become the West Coast brand ambassador for Plymouth and Beefeater gins. Heading from Chicago toward SF is Peter Vestinos, the beverage development director for Illinois supplier Wirtz Beverage Group and before that of Sepia.
Don’t know if this is good or bad, but take note, large format cocktail creators: At the Brother Jimmy’s BBQ restaurants in NYC, not only are most cocktails available by the glass or pitcher, there’s also the frat-inspired Trashcan Punch – 2.5 gallons of rum and fruit juices, served tableside in a humongous Mason jar with regular size mason jars for dippin’. The Can runs about $80.