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The importance of Techniques

Hello Everyone!

 

Recently, I’ve been thinking of new tendencies, trends, in both the bar and kitchen methods, (as I’m starting to see more and more often “barchefs” or “molecular mixologists”)

 

Not so long ago, cocktail recipes were sustained by pillars named ingredients; proportions worked as a”link“between them, and the mind behind the very fact of creation, was the Mixologist. After that every bartender could replicate that recipe and create the same drink over and over again…

 

 But nowadays I’m starting to see not only that less cocktails are created, but also,  I’m beginning to observe that, that importance, is based now more and more often on the techniques and the methods (through Molecular Mixology for       instance…..) rather than the Ingredients or the creation process…

 

I strongly belief we should work creatively on structures  in a mixology way, having  also stabilizers, gelatine or soy lecithin in mind, as any other ingredient in a recipe, in order to create a new experience; Instead of focusing on techniques and pushing ingredients and creation process into the background.

 

Posted Jul 07 2009, 01:55 AM by Omar Sequera

Comments

Dimi wrote re: The importance of Techniques
on 07-07-2009 10:18 AM

Omar, hmmmm...

That would be a great cocktail conversation topic as I have seen both. Where the creativity lacks, is where the knowledge shines. You have extremely talented bartenders that do not create the most amazing drinks, but are able to reinvent forgotten cocktails. I have just received today the latest book from Ted Haigh (2e Edition of Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails) and I have to thank all the bartenders that spend their entire life researching and revive those long gone libations. The past era of cocktails is what has inspired many of us and many to come. If it is that because of that immense knowledge some bartenders are perceived to be less creative to the eyes of some, then so be it. I would always like to be able to spend an entire evening listening to all those amazing stories they will be able to share with us. And thank them for being here!

Some of those who are not particularly cocktail geeks (and I do not mean that in a bad way) may have more creativity in making cocktails being techniques, creating their own organic fruit garden or even being a Marc Plumridge who knows every cocktail tool on the face of the earth!!!!.

Why that is, no idea as am not Einstein! Or maybe they have spent more time in the kitchen than in the library, but either way, I would defo say that both types of bartenders add depth to the industry. I would not want ALL bartenders to do the same thing and would promote being as different as possible with their own quality and beliefs but respecting the basic values of our craft.

Good to see which side you are on!!

thanks Omar!

Omar Sequera wrote re: The importance of Techniques
on 07-16-2009 7:12 AM

Your absolutely right, I had never thought of it in that way!!

Probably because I've never been good with history, even at school, (or anything that requires Memory.... haha) I enjoy listening to them, but I will never remember the stories I heard or Read!!!

haha Very Good Point Dimi, made me think.....

Dimi wrote re: The importance of Techniques
on 07-21-2009 5:19 PM

Omar, I am at the same, I have all those books, but I never remember anything. I have to look at them a number of times before remembering. That is why I really enjoy listening to some of those guys.

Ciao

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