What a terrific chat with Kevin Brauch, Food Network TV Celebrity Host!
Click on the arrow above to watch the video.
Listen to Kevin’s stories about his adventures in the wine world.
Discover more juicy tips that will make you wine smart.
Cheers,
Natalie
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Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and find out who’s coming up next.
Click on the arrow above to hear Kevin’s story about his visit to Stellenbosch.
Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and find out who’s coming up next.
If you’d like to read the comments for this tasting, or make a comment yourself, visit:
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Here’s a sampling of our lively discussion from our tasting…
Penedes, Spain
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava
Penedes, Spain
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario VQA, Canada
Western Cape W.O., South Africa
Bartender (Mixologist)…World Traveler…(Host of Thirsty Traveler & Co-Host Iron Chef America TV series)
OBJECTIVE
100% Client Satisfaction! I aim to excel at a quality establishment where I can best utilize my skills & knowledge, to the restaurant’s success & enjoyment of the patrons.
PREVIOUS BAR & RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE
Mixologist/ Bartender, Bar Consultant
AVIV MEDITERRANEAN, Currently part time/ on-call (2015-2017)
(Neighbourhood bistro w/busy pre/post Tarragon Theatre crowd. High turnover specializing in cocktails, craft beers, European wines and espresso coffees.)
Bartender, Cocktail List Creator
THE CEILI COTTAGE, Seasonal, Events, On-Demand
(One of Leslieville’s busiest & popular establishments. Draught, craft beers, cocktails and a 100+ whisk(e)y bottle collection keeps everyone on their toes.)
Head Mixologist/ Bartender, Oyster Shucker, Bar & Bottles & Cocktail List Consultant
PEARL DIVER (formerly STARFISH Oyster & Grill) (January 2015 – September 2015)
(Shucking oysters an additional responsibility to creating cocktails, pulling local, craft pints and selecting wines. Post-dinner drinks also a draw for patrons.)
‘STAGES’ & GUEST BARTENDING SPOTS
*VINTAGE CONSERVATORY *KERIWA CAFE *SPLENDIDO *FYNN’S TEMPLE *ORBIT ROOM *COCO LEZZONNE *REPOSADO
RECIPE & MIXOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Corby’s, Diageo, PMA, Brown Foreman, Beam Global, David’s Tea, Fairmont Hotels, enRoute Magazine, Spearhead Brewery, Kensington Brewing Company
SPEAKER, GUEST CHEF, SPIRITS, WINE & BEER EDUCATOR, JUDGE, INDUSTRY MOTIVATOR
UMASS Amherst Culinary & Mixology Depts., Tales of the Cocktail (New Orleans), Shanghai Hilton, World Gourmet Summit (Singapore)
EVENTS & CAMPAIGNS
* Gourmet Food & Wine (Toronto, Niagara Falls) – Lecturer, “Tutored Tastings” (2004-present)
* Canadian Club Hide-A-Case Campaign (Worldwide) – Expedition Leader to Australia, New Zealand, Tonga (2010)
* Finlandia World Vodka Cup (Finland, North Pole) – Cocktail Competition Judge (2008)
* Nightclub & Bar Convention & Trade Show (Las Vegas) – Keynote Speaker, Cocktail Competition Judge (2007-2011)
* Tales of the Cocktail (New Orleans) – Spirit Ambassador (2006-2009)
CERTIFICATIONS
* Master of Rum Certificate (ARC), May 2015 * Continuing work on WSETs, Level 1 Wine, Level 2 Spirits, June 2016
BIOGRAPHY – KEVIN BRAUCH – TELEVISION’S THE THIRSTY TRAVELER
Most of my broadcast, professional and hospitality career(s) have focused on culinary arts, spirits, wine, beer and travel.
Best known for work on Food Network’s: The Thirsty Traveler and Iron Chef America, Discovery Channel’s: MegaWorld and TVO Kids.
Cultivated relationships with high-profile chefs, critics & restaurateurs, who believe I’d make a valuable asset to any restaurant or bar.
CHECK OUT MY COCKTAIL & SPIRITS – YOUTUBE CHANNEL – THIRSTY WITH A TWIST:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ThirstyWithATwist
Kevin (Thirsty Traveller/Iron Chef etc.)
Tell us a little bit about what you are currently up to/have in the works etc… Do you have a canned bio that you prefer we use?
– Food Truck Confessions (TV)
– Will Work for Food (TV)
– Public Speaking (Corporate)
– Beer Dinners, Restaurant Consultation, talks of maybe even a brewery…
Over your career, you’ve had the opportunity to travel the world. What are some of your favourite places to eat, drink and be merry – and why?
* NYC – Steak frites, tuna tartare, pies (aka pizza) kinda almost anything and a very soft ‘last-call’
(Spotted Pig, Pastis, EO, PDT, Balthazar)
* Taipei – chicken head soup, lots of noodles and lots of beer (and beer games)
(The Sherwood Hotel)
* Shanghai – street vendor soup dumplings
(anywhere, everywhere)
* Basel, Cheval Blanc – every single bit of it (Michelin 3* restaurant)
* Toronto (no further info needed… everywhere)
Wine, beer, cocktails? What’s your poison of choice?
ANSWER: “D” – All of the above
GUILTY AS CHARGED
– French Whites with a lot of mineralogy
– Gorgeous Reds
– Spanish Cava
– Vesper cocktail
– Quality Craft Pilsners
– Gin Martinis
– (I’m running out of room…)
When we think of cheese, we may immediately think ‘wine pairings’ but what are some other, perhaps, unexpected combos that go well together? (beer with… a type of spirit that pairs well with Switzerland cheeses?)
– Biff’s, a GastroPub in Toronto (O&B), Former Chef Amanda Ray introduced a Fondue evening……. everything we had, apples, fruit, the various and many meats went both with the white wine and the Belgian beers and German Hefeweizen and the Swiss cheeses
Have you travelled through/to Switzerland? When you were there what did you do/see/experience in terms of culinary.
Yes – four times. However, as comfortable as I am there, it’s still unfamiliar to me…. maybe a 5th time is in order.
The Alps, Zermat, Basel, Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Geneva, Christmas Market River Cruise through Switzerland, Germany and Alsace
The Thirsty Traveler – Absinthe episode
Megaword (Discovery Channel) to better understand Football (Soccer) Stadium recovery and refurbishment for the Euro
I WENT TO CERN!!!!!!!!!
What types of “swiss” cheese do you like to use in recipes or prepare or serve at home/for friends and family etc. and why?
– Fondue
– Raclette
– Emmental
– Jarlsberg
What are the most interesting factoids or tidbits about Switzerland cheeses that you think might be intriguing to the public? (This could be health/nutrition facts, history of etc. or related to culinary etc.)
I love Roger Federer. And Swiss Absinthe (the green fairy).
If you had to give up one or the other, chocolate or cheese, which would it be and why? (this might be a trick question)…
Uh…….. cheesy chocolate?
The sophisticated taste and experience of cheese will always outweigh the fun, silly pleasures of chocolate (sorry, Lindt Chocolates, you are lovely!)
Whenever I watch my absolute most favourite tennis player in the world, RF….. Swiss Legend, Roger Federer, it is always with Spanish Cava, French Champagne…. and a wonderful board of primarily Swiss cheese(s), crackers, fruit, meat, olives. It is my guilty pleasure.
Do I really have to give up chocolate?
CHEERS!
Kevin Brauch
Kevin Brauch, The Thirsty Traveler, Iron Chef America, Megaword (Discovery, HD Theatre)
YOU TUBE CHANNEL: Thirsty With A Twist
YOU TUBE CHANNEL: Thirsty Traveler (Full Episodes)
TWITTER: @DrinkingRobot @ThirstyTwist
FACEBOOK: Kevin Brauch
INSTAGRAM: kevinbrauch
Kevin Bauch – The Major League Drinker
Kevin Brauch – The Thirsty Traveller
Kevin Bauch – The Very Thirsty Traveller
Kevin Brauch – Looking for a Blast
Kevin Brauch – The Travelling Gourmet
Kevin Brauch