Two Shots and a Pint
  • Home
  • Blog Posts
    • From The 2 Shots Cellar
    • Beverages
      • Wine
      • Spirits and Cocktails
      • Beer
      • Coffee and Tea
      • Juice
    • Equipment
    • People
    • Wine 101
    • 2shotsaway
    • 2ShotsinChile
  • Events
  • About 2 Shots and a Pint
  • Contact Us

Two Shots and a Pint

  • Home
  • Blog Posts
    • From The 2 Shots Cellar
    • Beverages
      • Wine
      • Spirits and Cocktails
      • Beer
      • Coffee and Tea
      • Juice
    • Equipment
    • People
    • Wine 101
    • 2shotsaway
    • 2ShotsinChile
  • Events
  • About 2 Shots and a Pint
  • Contact Us
People

Legend on Legends

written by Gail Sotelo May 26, 2020

There is nothing like a lockdown to get me bored out of my mind.

I’ve explored many forms of entertainment: binged Netflix/Viu/Google Play shows/movies, baked, explored fitness regimens, trained my dogs…

…but I’m still bored.

I realized, well… At the risk of unnecessarily sounding like an alcoholic, I love alcohol. It’s not about the feeling of inebriation, though. As an alcohol geek, I missed exploring its cerebral side.

With the alcohol ban putting a damper on discovering new things, it was a challenge trying to find something new on all things booze.

Enter an invite from one of Metro Manila’s alcohol legends, Richie Cruz.

For the benefit of readers outside the Philippine alcohol industry, Cruz is the bartending legend behind Center for Bartending and Tourism Academy, Inc. in Marikina. With several international bartending awards* and years of work experience** under his belt, he has developed an authentic, approachable, pay-it-forward, “sharing is caring” spirit that is keen on sharing the knowledge he’s accumulated over the years.

Richie Cruz

Sadly, he’s had to temporarily close his facilities (ugh, COVID), but he’s still pretty active on social media. His Instagram account hosts live, candid conversations with fellow bar legends from around the world, all eager to share their inputs on keeping the bartending industry afloat during and after the crisis… with a bunch of witty, inspirational anecdotes guaranteed to make anyone want to pick up a cocktail shaker and mix up a good one at home. I particularly enjoyed his conversation with Dale DeGroff (author of many bartending books people in the industry use, including The Craft of the Cocktail). There were also conversations with Andrea Fidora (Business Development Manager of one of my favorite cocktail mixers, Monin), Jillian Vose (Beverage Director of 2016’s World’s Best Bar, The Dead Rabbit NYC), Natalie Migliarini (who I adore because of her at-home bartending and her book, Beautiful Booze: Stylish Cocktails to Make at Home), GN Chan of Double Chicken Please NYC (and winner of the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition)… among others.

clockwise, from top left: Jillian Vose, Andrea Fidora, Natalie Migliarini, Dale DeGroff, and GN Chan

There is so much more he’s got in store, so keep tuning in to his IG account, @richiecruise, for updates. I do believe he’s got something up tomorrow, 27 May at 9pm. 😉

Cheers!


*Cruz has had stints in Holland America Line, Pinoytender Management Consultancy, Celebrity Cruises, Casa Armas, and The Peninsula Manila; as well as teaching stints in various educational institutions
**Cruz’s awards include Bacardi Legacy National Champion – Philippines, Glenfiddich Most Experimental Bartender, Giffard Coctail Competition (Semi-Finalist – Philippines), and Ancho Reyes Cocktail Champion – Philippines


Photo Credits:
Dale Degroff’s photo courtesy of Imbibe Magazine
Andrea Fidora’s photo courtesy of spiceslicebite.com
Jillian Vose’s photo courtesy of punchdrink.com
Natalie Migliarini’s photo courtesy of thefeedfeed.com
GN Chan’s photo courtesy of dekitdekit.com

Legend on Legends was last modified: May 26th, 2020 by Gail Sotelo

Comments

comments

2shotsandapintbartenderlegendpeople
0 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Gail Sotelo

previous post
Pinoy Drink Industry Post-ECQ (A Humour Post)
next post
Viber for Booze!

You may also like

On Chianti and Cannibals

April 12, 2019

#BusyBusyBusy!

July 22, 2019

The End Is The Beginning – Redux

April 2, 2019

Crowing About Pinoy Whiskey

March 26, 2019

The Visual Art of Matt Moore and Remy Martin

November 5, 2018

On Indulgence and Rockstars Behind The Bar

June 14, 2019

On Meeting the Man Behind Montes

June 8, 2018

…It’s 7am

October 9, 2019

…It’s 9am

October 10, 2019

Wine, TV, and Chill: Top Five Wine Documentaries

February 21, 2018

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Follow Us

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube

STAY UPDATED

Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Ask Me Anything – The Japanese Food Edition
  • Your Love Through Kindness, Unpacked
  • Ask Me About Partners and Valentines
  • In the Spirit of Good Wine Robert Mondavi Private Selection Spirits Barrel-Aged Collection
  • It Started with Sam

Our Partners

Chile
Poco Deli

2018 Copyright © All Rights Reserved - 2 Shots and a Pint