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5 Tips for Attending 'Tales of the Cocktail' Cocktail Festival

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Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) is a 21+ beverage industry conference and cocktail festival held in July in New Orleans, Louisiana. Anyone can attend and there is something for all demographics - cocktail enthusiasts, bartenders, brand representatives, history buffs and more. By purchasing tickets to seminars you receive a wristband, which allows you into tasting rooms and other special events. There is literally something to do every second and as you attend events, you make connections and get invited to even more events and tastings. Needless to say as a first timer, my planned schedule became virtually nonexistent. Since no one told me, I'm giving you tips for attending Tales of the Cocktail (or any conference for the matter!):

1. Try the local spirits. 

I highly recommend tasting local spirits since they may not be available in your home city. My most memorable tasting was of Alma Grown Louisiana Cane Mixers. Their mixers are blends of fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices and sugarcane. Out of the three flavors - Original, Lime, and Lemon and Mint - the Lemon and Mint was tastiest. I see this possibly being used instead of simple syrup or for the aspiring bartender at home. Samples were also offered with a local rum brand. 

2. Go to the night parties.

There were parties every day and night but the Neon Tide party on Thursday evening turned out to be my favorite. The design concepts, cocktails, theme, and entertainment were very well-executed. I felt like I was at a beach party surrounded with greenery. There was a taco truck, corn hole, and a community Mural Painting (protective suits were provided as an option for painting). The music and overall vibe were great. 

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3. Attend the seminars you're interested in.

“How To Be Good At Drinking,” led By Tanqueray’s Angus Winchester in the Queen Annes Ballroom of Hotel Montelone was informative and Angus was very personable. I was really was excited to see that seminars weren't only “behind the bar” based, but also included the business and marketing side of the industry.  I wanted to attend: BYOB - Building Your Own Brand, The Value of Values: Embedding Purpose into Business, Intellectual Property Law Issues in Cocktail Land, Movers & Shakers: A Guide to Making it Abroad!, and The ULTIMATE Ginger Seminar. Next year I’ll prepare my schedule a bit better. 

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4. Pace yourself. 

This one is self-explanatory. You want to make it through the whole week, right?

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5. Network, network, network!

Throughout my experience I noticed that people of color seemed to be the minority in attendance (which sparked a few safe space conversations). This could be for a variety of reasons; however, it's good that TOTC noticed the need to make an effort to be aware and monitor the dynamics. Enter the Tales of the Cocktail Diversity Council. The first meeting of the TOTC Diversity Council was held on Thursday morning while they also hosted a Happy Hour that evening.  The council consists of men and women of all races and ethnicities (more information on their events will be forthcoming). As I mentioned before, it's imperative to network to meet various industry insiders as you make your rounds.

I assumed TOTC was education-focused but it’s so much more than that. The events were all over the city showcasing the Nawlins culture.  I enjoyed and will definitely return (this time with Ashlee so we can tag team events and seminars). Hopefully you find these tips helpful. See you next year, Nawlins!

- Chezia Cager

DC "DCocktail" Series: Etete Restaurant

The DC “DCocktail” Series highlights the food, ambiance, and most especially the cocktails at restaurants in and around the District of Columbia.  We find out how the restaurant uses its menu to make a mark on the nation’s capital.  

Here at Will Drink For Travel, we strive to keep our readers up to date on eateries and bars offering worthwhile experiences. So I was looking forward to sampling the revamped menu at Etete (1942 9th Street NW 20001) in the heart of U Street.

The restaurant has been a mainstay on the 9th & U street strip for as long as I’ve been in the area (10 years). I even made a stop there during my food tour with Carpe DC Food Tours a while ago. As an Ethiopian food fanatic, I can attest to the fact that Etete does not disappoint.

Chef Christopher Roberson has kept true to the restaurant namesake’s traditional spices and flavors with the addition of his small plates. With influences from across the globe, he provides options for patrons with varying pallets. His injera tacos were definitely the stand out for me, packing all of the Ethiopian flavors I adore into a colorful taco filled with berebere chicken, pickled peppers, greens and ayib farmers cheese.

For those a little undecided about injera, a spongy flatbread made of teff flour, they also provide crispy lentil rolls, sweet chili wings, and fish & chips. Etete wows patrons with a crispy whole fish that looks too good to eat and a prawn gumbo, which you will most likely can’t find in any other Ethiopian establishment.

Along with the amazing food are the creative cocktails. The Fire & Spice was a standout with the chili gin and cayenne guaranteed to give you the energy to fill your belly. If the food and drinks don’t inspire you, the décor alone will encourage you to become a happy hour regular, and is open for private events.

If you check out this D.C. mainstay, be sure to tell them we sent you! For more information on Etete, visit Eteterestaurant.com.

- Nyasha Chikowore