The Speakeasy

Mark Maynard - a 26 year veteran of the Union Square Hospitality Group, Mark started the trail as host of Union Square Cafe. From there he rose to General Manager and then launched a string of the popular bbq joint Blue Smoke. Extensive visits to America’s south east inspired Porchlight bar.  Now he’s the Director of Operations for all of USHG. Mark has also written a book The Next Frontier of Restaurant Management and is s regular lecturer at Cornell, NYU and, The Institute of Culinary Education.  The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our dear friend and favorite Francophile miss Franky Marshall (@Drinking.Violet) schools us all on Cognac, pineau de charentes and all things France. She also talks about the issues we all face being in the Hospitality field. She’s a force to be reckoned with and made mostly of determination and magic. Plus, friend to the show, Matt Friedlander took the co-host chair and he brought along the adorable @Sally.Puppy !! À votre santé! The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tune In to hear how Angel achieves her dreams of traveling by using her camera to capture bartenders all over the world making cocktails. Her popular Instagram account has garnered over 200,000 followers. Follow her at @TheCocktailPortal and @BartendersPortal The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Simon Ford (@Simon_Tge86Co) is often credited with the creation of the spirits Brand Ambassador position as we know it. This week we talk to him about all things gin, his extensive world travels and, how to gracefully grow irrelevant.  Special guest Ed Rudisell of the popular Shift Drink Podcast (@ShiftDrinkPodcast) in Indianapolis sits in to sip gin and tequila with us.  The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amanda Whitt is a Brand Ambassador, Bartender, Barista, and all around liquid enthusiast. She talks to Damon and Sother about repping coffee all around the country. Plus, Damon shares his own spectacular barista experience. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Claire Sprouse has bartended across the United States' at some of the most well-known cocktail institutions, starting in Houston and most recently at ABV in San Francisco. In 2014, she co-founded Tin Roof Drink Community, a consulting and education company committed to exploring sustainability in hospitality spaces. For their teachings at the 2017 Tales of the Cocktail, Tin Roof was awarded the “Golden Spirit Award”. Claire will continue to explore green bar initiatives at her upcoming bar, Hunky Dory, opening soon in Brooklyn. The Speakeasy is powered by SimplecastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Damon and Sother report remotely from Blue Quarter in the East Village. Their guests are Jeff Bell and AK Hada of the legendary PDT. Hear all about hot dogs, clandestine entrances last min flights to Hong Kong and American brandy. But, Please Don’t Tell! The Speakeasy is powered by SimplecastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us on the Speakeasy for a very festive holiday edition featuring the team from Miracle in Brooklyn. New father Jason Littrell, human Swiss Army knife Chris Bidmead and,ring-leader Dave O’Brien have overdecorated and stocked their bar to be a Christmas holiday wonderland. We also take potshots at our dear friend Giuseppe Gonzales with pumpkin spice coquito and we talk about Bartender Boxing. Ho ho ho! The Speakeasy is powered by SimplecastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jack Ferris is the US national brand ambassador & educator for Bushmills Irish Whiskey. He grew up in as small town called Coleraine in Co. Derry, which is located just 7 miles from where The Old Bushmills Distillery is located. From a young age, he has been passionate about Irish Whiskey. Jack started his whiskey career as bartender at the Bushmills Inn just down the street from the distillery. He then his found his way to a job with Bushmills as a Brand Home Associate where he ran the bar, distillery tours and served as an ambassador and representative for the brand. His work has brought him across the globe, making him an expert in all things Irish Whiskey. Jack has been working with the Bushmills brand for almost 8 years and has covered various roles, both in front and behind the scenes. Most recently, Jack worked on the launch of The Steamship Collection, which was a new and rewarding experience for him. For Jack, the most enjoyable part of his job is communicating with a variety of people of different expertise and taking them on the Bushmills journey. As a US Bushmills Brand Ambassador, Jack champions building awareness and advocacy for Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The Speakeasy is powered by SimplecastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on the Speakeasy, Damon and Sother host Eamon Rockey from the remote studio inside Blue Quarter. Eamon made his mark as a NYC bartender known for making clarified milk punch. Now he's got a bottled version on the market. He’s also helped develop a new generation of bar bag with the workwear brand Tilit as well as being in a leadership role in the newly created beverage program at the Institute of Culinary Education. The Speakeasy is powered by Simplecast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.