In a landmark event for Nepal’s growing hospitality industry, Kathmandu played host to its first[1]ever Cocktail Conference. Held at the prestigious Soaltee Hotel, the conference gathered seasoned mixologists, industry experts, and enthusiasts alike in one place, to celebrate the artistry of cocktail crafting and discuss its growing significance in the country’s evolving bar culture. The first ever smirnoff cocktail conference was a magnificent event bringing together the top beverage industry leaders and mixologists in Nepal. It was a promotional event for the upkeep and growth of the beverage industry. It was an event that was planned and organized to bring the top leaders in the cocktail industry under one roof to create a supporting network with a concerted effort towards the growth of the industry.
As the conference began, we got the opportunity to talk with the main man behind the organizing and execution of the Smirnoff Cocktail conference, Avanish Tuladhar.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION BEHIND ORGANIZING THIS COCKTAIL CONFERENCE?
The inspiration behind organizing the Smirnoff Cocktail Conference was to create a platform for bartenders to learn, share, and grow while showcasing their skills on a prominent stage. With the rising trend of cocktails in the valley, many people enjoy cocktails but remain unaware of the stories behind these creations and the bartenders who craft them. In Nepal, it’s rare for bartenders to have a platform to express their daily challenges they face working behind the bar. We wanted this conference to serve as the main platform for them to share their experiences.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON THE THEME AND FORMAT OF THE EVENT?
The theme of the event was based on Smirnoff Vodka’s original color red, which gave an elegant ambiance and a professional touch towards the conference. As it was a conference hosted by Smirnoff itself, we thought of giving a Smirnoff theme to make it look unique among the events portfolio market in Nepal. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONFERENCE? We inaugurated the event with a beautiful terrarium to promote a healthy ecosystem, marking our small step towards sustainability.
WAS THE OVERALL FEEDBACK FROM THE ATTENDEES?
The overall feedback from the attendees was quite positive and especially the bartenders and mixologists who were present there were very happy and excited with this event as it was the one-of-a-kind event dedicated to the bartender’s community. They also appreciated Smirnoff and its team’s effort to make it happen. Additionally, they suggested we continue having such conferences in the years to come.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESS OF THIS CONFERENCE FOR FUTURE EVENTS?
Based on our current experiences and the continuous growth of the bartending community in Nepal, we plan to enhance and expand future events. By incorporating feedback and staying attuned to the evolving trends and needs of our bartenders, we aim to create even more impactful and engaging conferences in the days to come.
Furthermore we got a chance to talk to the man behind Evo Beverages, Ashish Pradhan, a leader in manufacturing and distributing premium beverages in Nepal. We got some meaningful insights into the cocktail industry.
A PANELIST, HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE DISCUSSIONS AND INSIGHTS DURING THE CONFERENCE SESSIONS?
As a proud contributor to the liquor industry, my team and I try to understand internal and external problems for people in the field as well as the service industry. We have a voice in changing views related to the industry that can bring changes in social stigma and proper education on social etiquette, bar culture, education on the consumption of alcohol and limits, encouragement for all genders to participate and proudly work in the service industry. It is our duty and responsibility to promote this art.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE ATTENDEES WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS AT THIS COCKTAIL CONFERENCE?
I believe that all the attendees whether they are bar owners, bartenders and other members of the service industry know that Evo Beverages has their back. We will help give voice to the voiceless and aim to bring change together for the betterment of individual careers, protect jobs and try to keep our youth in the country, improve restaurant and bar performances where necessary, and provide the missing ingredients they need to make experiences in Nepal one of the best in Asia and the World.
WAS THERE SOMETHING IN THE CONFERENCE THAT PIQUED YOUR INTEREST?
It would have to be some of the stories I heard while personally speaking with people from the bar industry. The hardships of social pressure in terms of working in the “late night” field especially giving 24 hrs service. If we want to be a top city and country in the world, we have to operate during odd hours. There are those who judge people for working late or having jobs that are 8 pm to 6 am, and complain there is no urban development as a metropolitan area, contradicting themselves.
With pressing issues, expectations and contributions in the cocktail conference, we met Santosh Faiia, the owner of Blackbird, a beloved venue renowned for its cocktail culture. His testament was a mixture of both inspirational moments and the lows and a determination of taking the hospitality sector of Nepal to new heights. He also voiced his concerns and issues of the whole market being down with increasing inflations on every product and ingredients. Manpower is all looking to move abroad, but because of the current economy and high import prices, giving staff the wage we want to give them is difficult. Furthermore he aired his views about the conference saying “We all had a different approach to our presentations, which we had in fact, discussed before the conference. I expected more interaction between bartenders and more questions and open discussion. It was good for the attendees to get a realistic analysis of the bar culture here in Nepal as well as Yangdup’s input and many years of knowledge. I would like to see some more interactive activities.”
Another interesting conversation we had was with Rovin Gurung, co-owner of Bitters and Co., a prominent establishment shaping Kathmandu’s cocktail landscape. It was a very inspirational conversation that enlightened us on what the cocktail conference was about and what the attendees and audience should take to heart.
WHAT WERE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN THE COCKTAIL CONFERENCE AND WHY?
Yangdup sir’s workshop about the art of hospitality was the highlight of the conference and I think this knowledge will serve the industry well in the coming days. He was very inspirational and at the end of the day, it was indeed a great conference.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE ATTENDEES WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS AT THIS CONFERENCE?
I hope the attendees will learn about the art of hospitality and how much it impacts the industry on a daily basis. Also, we wish them not to get discouraged but keep on learning and moving forward with more passion than ever before. WHAT TRENDS DO YOU FORESEE IN THE COCKTAIL INDUSTRY IN NEPAL? We are always evolving as per the market by coming up with new ideas for the overall growth of the industry. And for the future, we hope to see stronger and bigger community for this industry not just in Kathmandu but in the whole of Nepal.
Lets meet another one of our panel members Abhishek Tuladhar, from Barc, celebrated for its innovative approach to mixology and ambiance. Barc is also getting popular for its showcasing and promotion of local alcohol as a part of their prestigious menu. It was a great opportunity to talk and learn from one of the greatest in the cocktail industry.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU THINK THIS COCKTAIL CONFERENCE WILL INFLUENCE THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF MIXOLOGY AND HOSPITALITY IN NEPAL?
Well I think it is an excellent way of bringing together the community under one roof. It was great in the sense we got to network with each other and grow connections. To celebrate bartending as a whole and yeah, this conference was a very fruitful way of networking and creating a genuine bar culture in Nepal.
WHAT ASPECTS OF THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING AND WHY?
I would be looking forward mostly to bringing the best in the bar industry and having the conference as a whole. This conference has given a platform for the bartenders themselves and to the cocktail industry as well. Mostly I would love to see the bar industry and the alcohol and cocktail industry to reach new heights through the conference.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS THAT THE ATTENDEES SHOULD TAKEAWAY FROM THIS CONFERENCE?
Well the top three things for me would be, firstly the creation of a bar culture in Nepal and helping each other out and reaching towards new standards for the entire industry. Secondly, I think networking and reaching out would be another. Not just inside Kathmandu but also outside the valley and abroad. And finally, I would like them to take inspiration to cross hurdles in the industry no matter how many they come across, understanding each other and engaging in productive activities.
The conference was an educational journey understanding the debts of the bartending culture. Quoted “Making 20 cocktails is not enough, 200 is nothing. Until and unless you know your drink and your ingredients” was an incredible insight towards knowing the ingredients being as important as learning the skill of making a cocktail. It was also stressed that bartenders must have a customer centric focus, strategies and culture and not only make drinks as a bartender. The panelist called it “The Art of Hospitality”. It was also an excellent way of bringing in the bartenders and making a support group for one another and learning new ways of the art of bartending. Moreover, Volunteers were also treated to hands-on workshops where they learned the intricate art of mixology from seasoned professionals. From mastering classic cocktail recipes to experimenting with indigenous ingredients, attendees gained practical skills that promised to elevate Nepal’s bar scene to new heights.
This was a unique event bringing the community of bar culture together in one hall. Of course, there is going to be competition, but we also believe that everyone wants to see glorious growth of the Nepali industry and prosperity that will hold great value for the future generations.
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