In recent weeks we’ve had the opportunity to sit down with some exciting guests for special events and interviews, and this week is no different.
First, we’re finally giving some much-deserved attention to the world of shochu this week. Better yet, we were able to round up an amazing group of bartenders, mixologists and all-around beverage specialists that have been resetting the standards for quality and innovation in some of the world’s most recognized and lauded drinking and dining establishments across New York, London and Sydney. For those following the cocktail scene, everyone on the show this week likely needs little-to-no introduction.
We’re joined by
Thomas Waugh,
bartender and
director of bar operations for
Major Food Group in New York, overseeing establishments such as Dirty French, ZZ’s Clam Bar, The Pool Lounge, and others; as well as heading up the bar operations at
Karasu, the izakaya-style Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar.
We also welcome
Mike Enright, owner and bartender at Sydney’s famous gin bar,
The Barber Shop, often popping up on many
Most Influential Bar and Bartender lists, both in Australia, as well is internationally. He’s even taken his mastery of gin to a new level with a line of
gin-infused/inspired grooming products – a rather perfect pairing for a Barber Shop.
Then we have
Ryan Chetiyawardana, likely better known to everyone as
Mr. Lyan. He’s the man responsible for White Lyan in London, the cocktail bar that shook up the industry when it opened in 2013, as well as
Dandelyan, voted World’s Best Bar 2018,
Cub, and Super Lyan. He might very well be one of the busiest men in the business.
And last but certainly not least, we have Matthew Hunter,
head bartender at the renowned
Eleven Madison Park, ranked
best restaurant in the world at 2017’s World’s 50 Best Restaurant awards.
A huge thanks to these gentlemen who were kind enough to join us for a quick chat, and a shochu tasting, following a whirlwind week-long journey throughout Kyushu, Japan’s southern island and motherland of shochu.
And, to top things off, for the second segment we travel to France to get our sake fix! Or shall a say, France comes to us! Right after successfully wrapping up another
Salon Du Sake in Paris,
Sake Samurai and organizer of France’s largest celebration of all-things-sake, Mr.
Sylvain Huet, popped in to chat with us during his recent visit to Japan, where he was also organizing the first annual CMB-hosted
Sake Selection awards in Mie Prefecture. We catch with Sylvain on what he’s been up to, the evolution of Salon du Sake, and what he’s excited about with regards to sake in Paris.
Sebastien and
Justin guide you on this densely packed episode that traverses the globe, as well as bridges the worlds of sake and shochu. We hope you enjoy.
– 03:24 Interview with Matthew Hunter and Thomas Waugh
– 15:04 Interview with Mike Enright and Ryan Chetiyawardana
– 32:13 Interview with Sylvian Huet
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Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the
Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association and is a joint production between
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Export Japan, with Mr.
Frank Walter making it all sound lovely.
Thanks for listening.
Kampai!
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