Internationally renowned for his work in the hospitality and marketing industry, Victoria resident Shawn Soole is once again recognizing the ever-growing cocktail scene.

Soole recently released his second book titled Great Northern Cocktails featuring the best-of-the-best bartenders in Canada.

His first book, Cocktail Culture, was based around Victoria B.C.B次元官网网址檚 cocktail scene and was released five years ago.

B次元官网网址淭his book I have been aching to write for a couple of years now, but obviously it is sometimes hard to talk publishers into releasing a cocktail book about the Canadian cocktail culture,B次元官网网址� explained Soole. B次元官网网址淪o, after 14 publishers saying no I found a publisher that said yes.B次元官网网址�

From there Soole took off across the country from Vancouver Island to Toronto collecting biographies of local bartenders.

B次元官网网址淚 wanted to showcase the big cities like Toronto and Vancouver because everyone gets that. But, there are also bartenders from Red Deer, Tofino and Saskatchewan,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓veryone is in here. It gives a good voice from the little markets to big cities.B次元官网网址�

Four bartenders from Kelowna are noted in the book. Gerry Jobe and Dave Simpson are given a special kudos after the duo spent three years creating the perfect blend of ingredients for their first SimpB次元官网网址檚 Serious Caesar mix. Now the highly regarded bartenders have opened a storefront on High Road to sell their vegan, gluten-free and 100 per cent Canadian made product.

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Also featured in SooleB次元官网网址檚 book is the award winning bartender of Skinny DukeB次元官网网址檚 Glorious Emporium Mark Veriker and founder of Bar Travelling Man cocktails Harry Dosanj.

To the south in Penticton Jonathan Cote of Craft Corner Kitchen also gets a nod.

Soole was in Kelowna for the launch of his new book as well as to guest judge at the Okanagan Spirits Distillery Mixoff earlier this month.

B次元官网网址淎fter the nightB次元官网网址檚 event I think I will be adding four or five new bartenders to this book,B次元官网网址� Soole said. B次元官网网址淭he good thing is we have an opportunity for me to update this book on a regular basis and by August next year I could bring out a second edition, with another 50 or 60 bartenders.B次元官网网址�

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He originally visited Kelowna more than four years ago and had said at the time the city seemed to plateau in the cocktail scene, losing a few bartenders to bigger centres.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to see that it has come full cycle, we are seeing some super talented bartenders and venues and managers, that are hospitality based and are backing the people,B次元官网网址� said Soole. B次元官网网址淚 like what BNA is doing, they have a bowling alley which is just awesome and they also have Skinny Dukes. There are now enough older guys here to mentor the younger bartenders, which grows the cocktail culture.B次元官网网址�

To make the cut for SooleB次元官网网址檚 book he must personally meet you or has to be a recommendation from an industry leader.

jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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