S2 Episode 023 - Ian Blessing - From Sommelier Excellence to Alcohol-Free Innovation
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In this new episode Shell speaks to the fabulous Ian Blessing, creator of a groundbreaking line of non-alcoholic cocktail bitters, 'All The Bitters'. A former sommelier from the infamous French Laundry, he co-founded the company with his wife Carly, crafting the bitters from organic, wild-foraged ingredients, which offer flavour as well as functional health benefits.
The discussion explores the demanding expectations placed on staff in restaurants like The French Laundry, and the mental and physical toll this environment can exact. Ian opens up about the camaraderie he felt amongst colleagues as they pushed to reach the near-impossible standards daily, and how he found himself turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism. They talk about the growing recognition of mental health and addiction issues in the industry, and the critical role having non-alcoholic alternatives for customers play in creating a supportive work environment.
They also discuss how important a strong No/Low drinks program is for businesses, and the essentialness of featuring non-alcoholic drinks prominently to boost sales. Ian has a fantastic resource on his website to look at if you are hoping to increase your drink menu that can be read following this link –
https://allthebitter.com/a/blog/crafting-a-non-alcoholic-cocktail-program
Tune in for a rich, engaging conversation that spans hospitality, sobriety, and innovation and make sure to check out All The Bitters in your cocktail creations!!!
@allthebitter
@ianjamesblessing
For more information on We Recover Loudly and to reach out for speaking engagements or support email hello@werecoverloudly.com
@werecoverloudly
www.werecoverloudly.com
This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors:
Low No Drinker Magazine @lownodrinkermagazine
www.lownodrinkermagazine.com
Kapitler
1. Non-Alcoholic Bitters (00:00:00)
2. The Art of Fine Dining Service (00:15:57)
3. Navigating Addiction and Recovery in Hospitality (00:30:16)
4. Inclusive Menu Design for Non-Alcoholic Drinks (00:41:46)
5. The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beverages (00:52:20)
6. Punny Conversational Banter in Hospitality (00:59:36)
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