Ever wondered what happens when you attempt to record a podcast with a group of bartenders?

Well... wonder no more...enjoy.

Thank you for joining me for the first ever season of Overproof. It's been a learning curve and I'm stoked to have had so many people join in the first season!!

I'm recording Season two over the next couple of weeks so subscribe to make sure you don't miss out when we come back AND stay tuned for more Bar Snack episodes in the meantime :-)

From Kitchen Hand to CEO: Dan Walker's Inspiring Journey in the Hospitality Industry In this episode of Overproof, CEO of True Believers, Dan Walker, shares his incredible journey from starting as a kitchen hand at age 12 to leading a global spirits brand.

Dan discusses his varied experiences, from working in kitchens and bars in New Zealand and Australia, to his role in the army, and eventually heading True Believers. He dives deeply into the inception and growth of True Believers, their innovative approach with Eco Spirits, and the challenges and triumphs along the way.

Plus, Dan offers insights into the future plans for the brand and his views on the evolving spirits industry. A must-listen for anyone interested in hospitality, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices.

Join Sarah Mitchell and Andrea on this episode of Overproof as they interview Eduardo Conde, the award-winning bartender and venue manager at El Primo Sanchez in Sydney.

Eduardo shares his journey from studying hospitality management in Mexico City to becoming one of Australia's top bartenders. Along the way, he discusses the challenges of opening a new bar, the value of mentorship, and the lessons learned from bar competitions.

Recorded at Pastel Bar in Auckland, this episode offers insights into the world of high-end bartending and the future of the industry. Special thanks to I Love Ponsonby and Pastel for their support and hospitality.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

00:52 Sponsorship and Venue Shoutouts

01:29 Eduardo's Current Role and Responsibilities

04:05 Journey into Hospitality

05:05 First Steps in the Bar Industry

07:34 Mentorship and Learning

12:49 Competitions and Achievements

19:27 Building Confidence in Competitions

20:10 Adrenaline and Its Effects

21:14 The Value of Networking

22:32 Preparing for Competitions

25:17 Future Plans and Mentoring

29:26 Quick Fire Questions

35:35 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Crafting Cocktails with a Nostalgic Twist: A Conversation on Pumpkin MezcalIn this episode of Over Proof, we dive into the world of cocktail creation with a special guest who shares his intriguing entry for the Del Maguey competition—an homage to his childhood memories tied to pumpkin soup. Learn about his unique blend of roast pumpkin-infused mezcal, butter-washed Irish whiskey, Oloroso sherry, and more, as he prepares for upcoming competitions in Sydney and New Zealand.

We also touch on the challenges and excitement of competing, practicing presentations, and the dream of possibly heading to Oaxaca.

Exploring the World of Marionette Liqueurs In this episode of 'Over Proof,' Andrea and I had the pleasure of interviewing Hugh Leech, the head distiller and co-founder of Marionette Liqueurs, a multi award-winning Australian liqueur company. We delved into Hugh's journey from hospitality to distilling, the ethos behind Marionette, and their innovative use of Australian-grown produce. We also touched on the challenges and triumphs of starting and growing a unique business in the spirits industry. Special thanks to our sponsor, I Love Ponsonby, and our hosts at Pastel Bar. Tune in for an insightful and inspiring chat! 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:13 Interview with Hugh Leech Begins 01:45 Hugh's Background in Hospitality 04:11 Founding of Marionette Liqueurs 08:51 Challenges and Adventures in Sourcing Ingredients 13:42 Establishing Marionette's Own Distillery 17:27 Marionette's Core Range and Special Releases 20:59 Business Insights and Reflections 21:59 Crafting the Perfect Cocktail: Our Journey 22:45 Lessons Learned and Regrets 23:38 Navigating the Australian Market 24:33 Building and Learning from Distilleries 25:42 Future Plans for Marionette 29:04 Exploring Native Botanicals 30:41 Collaborations and Special Projects 32:37 Challenges and Resilience 35:09 Inspiration and Community

Sustainable Cocktails and Community Impact with Theo In this inaugural episode of Barsnacks, we chat with Theo about his victory at the Flor De Cana Sustainable Cocktail Challenge in Auckland. Theo shares the inspiration and process behind his winning cocktail, which includes a unique shrub made from tamarillo honey and oxidized red wine vinegar, and a Tarata liqueur. He discusses the broader importance of sustainability, emphasizing community involvement. Theo also recounts his preparation for the competition and his thoughts on presenting in a second language. Looking ahead, he talks about his ambitions for the global finals and his upcoming pop-up event in Auckland, where he'll be creating innovative cocktails inspired by childhood and cultural festivals. 00:00 Introduction to Barsnacks 00:05 Winning the Flor De Cana Sustainable Cocktail Challenge 00:21 Crafting the Winning Cocktail 01:49 Sustainability in Cocktails 03:10 Community and Sustainability 04:17 Preparing for the Competition 07:36 Challenges of Competing in a Second Language 08:31 Aiming for Global Finals 10:05 Upcoming Pop-Up Event 11:31 Conclusion and Farewell

Welcome to Overproof! My name is Sarah Mitchell and I will be your host for Season One.

In this episode I chat with CATHERINE George, now Catherines full-time job is actually as a marketing manager for Urgent Couriers, but that’s not the reason I interviewed her for Overproof.

Catherine also is co-owner and marketing manager for Paris Butter. Paris Butter holds a special place in my heart, but for those of you not familiar, its an innovative three-hat restaurant in Herne Bay, Auckland that champions experimentation and seasonality…they also happen to have a killer wine list.

I wanted to chat with Catherine because her and her husband Zennon have visited 34 of the World’s Top 50 restaurants, which, I would say, speaks volumes about her interest in the culinary & beverage world.

Welcome to Overproof! My name is Sarah Mitchell and I will be your host for Season One.

In this episode I chat with Gina Nicholls. Gina is an account manager for boutique liquor distributor Tickety Boo.

I really wanted to catch up with Gina to discuss what working the other side of the industry looks like, especially since it’s a path many bartenders end up taking. We touch on her entry into the world of bartending, how she made the move to working with a brand and that one time St Pattys Day and the Americas Cup final collided into an all-out extreme juicing sesh.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Gina.

This episode was sponsored by NZ Bar Con, a three day bar & beverage industry convention held in August each year. We just completed the first ever Bar Con last week and are keen to make it even bigger and better next year!

If you had the chance to attend any of the events this year we would massively appreciate any feedback on your experience so we can provide more value to our attendees next year. Click the link to leave your feedback