Above, left to proper: Raffaele Di Monaco, Pablo Navarro, Joshua Black, James Bowker
Bear in mind final 12 months’s Home of Suntory’s DOJO programme? The one the place Home of Suntory’s World Ambassador James Bowker and his crew curated an unimaginable collection of workshops, every impressed by the artwork of Japanese hospitality and conceived with bartenders private {and professional} development in thoughts? For the primary time, the fortunate individuals got the chance to place their newfound abilities to the check by participating in a contest to spherical up the whole expertise. Judged by James Bowker, Home of Suntory UK Model Ambassador Raffaele Di Monaco and the legend that’s Ueno Hidetsugo from one among Tokyo’s most interesting institutions, the enduring Bar Excessive 5. The prize? Solely a visit of a lifetime for the highest two to expertise Japanese hospitality first hand in Tokyo.
Joshua Black, Senior Bartender at Silverleaf Bar is one among two Home of Suntory DOJO 2022 winners. Right here he tells us concerning the expertise.
Let’s begin firstly: why did you enter Suntory’s DOJO Programme?
I owe an enormous thanks to my basic supervisor, Chris Tanner, who advised me concerning the Home of Suntory’s DOJO programme and pushed me to use. I’m all the time in search of alternatives to develop and develop my skillset as a bartender and having the prospect to be taught concerning the components of Japanese bartending that I can take with me into my day-to-day function was one thing that basically appealed to me.
What was your information of Japan and its bartending strategies and ideas earlier than getting into the programme?
Honestly, very restricted. I suppose I had preconceived concepts, or misconceptions earlier than becoming a member of the DOJO programme, and I’ve since had my eyes opened to a brand new approach of bartending and I gained some fascinating insights. It was nice to be taught concerning the tradition first hand from a few of the main Masters of their discipline and I’ve left not solely a winner, but additionally a extra educated bartender.
How does it differ now?
I definitely learnt lots concerning the spirits within the Home of Suntory portfolio and the Grasp model itself, however I now additionally perceive a lot extra about Japanese tradition. One in every of my key takeaways is the idea of ‘Omotenashi’ – which is, when utilized to hospitality, all about contemplating each element of the visitor expertise, anticipating wants earlier than they come up and wholeheartedly wanting their wants. While it‘s one thing we suppose we do every single day within the bar, the DOJO programme taught me a lot – little issues that, when put collectively, imply a lot for the wellbeing and pleasure of the visitor.”
What was your most satisfying a part of the programme and why?
Seeing everybody come collectively all through the programme to be taught and develop abilities, to then ultimately collaborating on the finals, was an incredible expertise. The sense of neighborhood created by the DOJO Senpai was unimaginable. It was an honour to work with them.
How has it benefited you personally and professionally?
Personally, successful DOJO has given me a renewed sense of self-belief and boosted my confidence. I’ve had a variety of very variety messages from my friends in addition to the individuals I look as much as within the trade.
Professionally, I’d say the programme has outfitted me with recent concepts and impressed a brand new method to drinks creation and elevation. I’ve additionally secured an apprenticeship with Hidetsugu Ueno in Japan subsequent 12 months and I stay up for taking every part I’ve discovered all through the DOJO programme with me into the subsequent phases of my profession.
Inform us about your Kaizen Basic, how and why you selected it and the way you utilized the assorted ideas to it all through the competitors.
On the welcome lunch, we have been invited to choose an envelope from the ‘tree of future’. Every envelope contained a Kaizen basic. I picked the Sazerac, which, do you know, can also be broadly considered the world’s oldest cocktail?
The idea of Kaizen refers to steady refinement, so specializing in elevation slightly than twisting or altering the DNA of the basic. To recreate such an iconic cocktail was fairly daunting at first however preserving Kaizen in thoughts and with the assistance of the DOJO Masters, I started to contemplate the way to elevate this basic by way of seasoning, choosing the proper glassware for an optimum tasting expertise, in addition to bringing in Japanese influences by taking a look at how I may convey a way of ‘WA’ or concord with nature.
Tying all of it collectively; my remaining serve was a Sazerac made with 70ml Suntory Toki Blended Whisky, 10ml birch water syrup that had been frivolously salted with liquid Shio Koji, 5 dashes of ‘Sazerac’ bitters (a mix of three components Peychauds bitters, 1 half Angostura fragrant bitters and a 1/2 half Minus8 Purple Verjus). To serve, I selected a thick-based, frozen glass atomised with Sudachi-infused absinthe and garnished with the expressed oils from a Meyer lemon. I served my Kaizen Sazerac with the accompaniment of chilled mineral water and a sizzling oshibori towel scented with Suntory Toki Whisky.
Birch water highlighted the sense of ‘WA’, utilizing shio koji and verjus offered seasoning and acidity for stability, whereas infusing the absinthe with sudachi introduced a extra advanced aroma.
Describe the ultimate and what stood out most to you and why?
The ultimate was in contrast to some other competitions I’ve participated in earlier than. Our hosts made it clear that they wished to see teamwork and collaboration between the finalists, and all of us wished one another to do properly, which was very refreshing.
There have been three phases: A tasting, a written examination and the ultimate Kaizen drink presentation. The tasting was scrumptious in fact, and whereas the examination was tough, I felt assured in my solutions having absorbed so many insights from the fantastic DOJO masters over the months.
The judges took a while deliberating and it was like being in limbo ready for the outcomes. The strain within the room was tense, so when James Bowker made the announcement, I used to be overwhelmed to be sincere, but equally as honoured to have been chosen. What an unimaginable expertise to be part of.
What does successful Suntory’s DOJO Programme imply to you?
It’s one thing I’m very happy with. There have been a variety of gifted bartenders collaborating within the DOJO programme this 12 months and it was a privilege being amongst them. Having this accolade with me for the remainder of my profession is one thing I really feel will assist me progress throughout the trade and I stay up for the alternatives to return.
What are you most wanting ahead to while you go to Japan?
The meals! And, in fact, I can’t wait to fulfill Hidetsugu Ueno once more and have the chance be taught from a few of the finest within the enterprise.
Lastly, three phrases to explain the whole expertise:
Unforgettable, insightful and scrumptious.
