Meet the 2021 Canvas Project Featured Bartenders
The 25 bartenders awarded Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Canvas Project grants to further the pursuit of their creative outlets this year.
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A Bartender Challenge That Goes Beyond the Cocktail
The 2021 Tales of the Cocktail Canvas Project, presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®, wants to foster a national conversation about creativity and community.
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Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Valentino Longo
Valentino Longo, winner of the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on his creative passion for photography and the genesis of Shōshin Art Club.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Marta Ess
Marta Ess, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on how a career in dance prepared her to be a bartender.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: David Yee
David Yee, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on how he approaches the practice of writing and storytelling.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Alex Jump
Alex Jump, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, shares her advice on finding balance beyond the bar.
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Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Nikolas Zoylinos
Nikolas Zoylinos, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on balancing discipline with spontaneity, onstage and behind the bar.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Christian Suzuki
Christian Suzuki, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on his "Atakai Project", a platform to amplify underserved voices.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: James Socci
James Socci, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on the power of myth and how to start a storytelling circle.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Emilio Salehi
Emilio Salehi, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, shares his beginner's guide to cocktail videography.
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Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Mark Tubridy
Mark Tubridy, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, on breaking down barriers to the creative process.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Keyatta Mincey-Parker
Keyatta Mincey-Parker, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, shares her tips on starting and tending a bartender's garden.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Derek Stilmann
Derek Stilmann, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, shares his tips on how to start fermenting beverages at home.
Most Imaginative Bartender Canvas Project: Maggie Morgan
Maggie Morgan, national finalist in the 2020 Most Imaginative Bartender Competition, shares her tips on how to collect art on a budget.
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Meet This Year’s Most Imaginative Bartender
Miami bartender Valentino Longo takes home the coveted title with his cocktail, The Decisive Moment, and earns a creative grant for Shoshin—a communal workspace for bartenders.
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This Is What Creativity Means to Marta Ess
The Toronto-based bartender on how a 25-year career in dance informs her approach to drinks, the one piece of advice she gives young bartenders and the recipe for her cocktail,…
This Is What Creativity Means to Emilio Salehi
The San Francisco bartender on how videography has shaped his approach to bartending, his hack for building complex flavor profiles and the recipe for his In Bokeh cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to Nikolas Zoylinos
The Austin-based bartender on balancing improvisation and structure, his globetrotting introduction to bartending and the recipe for his cocktail, Oops I Forgot My Line.
This Is What Creativity Means to James Socci
The Portland bartender on why storytelling is key to the human experience, imitating Oprah and the recipe for her Helen of Troy-inspired A Thousand Ships cocktail.
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This Is What Creativity Means to Mark Tubridy
The New York bartender on taking a musician’s approach to cocktails, the one album he’d listen to forever and the recipe for his Songbird cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to Maggie Morgan
The New Orleans bartender on the power of embracing imperfection, her monthly pop-up gallery and the recipe for her Rule of Thirds cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to David Yee
The Ohio–based bartender on his literary approach to bartending, the “aha!” moment at the core of great drinks and the recipe for his Short Story cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to Keyatta Mincey-Parker
The Atlanta bartender on the drinks that come to her in dreams, blending the flavors of West Africa and the American South and the recipe for her Eve’s Pot Liquor…
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This Is What Creativity Means to Valentino Longo
The Miami bartender on why simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, his passion for photography and the recipe for his Through the Light cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to Alex Jump
The Denver bartender on seeking balance behind the bar and beyond, pulling inspiration from the culinary world and the recipe for her Sailor’s Paradise cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to Christian Suzuki
The San Francisco bartender on the art of storytelling, the best advice he’s ever received and the recipe for his Imaginary Folklore cocktail.
This Is What Creativity Means to Derek Stilmann
The Miami bartender on his passion for fermentation, the one book that changed his approach entirely and the recipe for his Culture to Culture cocktail.