THE UK Bartenders Guild, in partnership with the Mediterranean Aperitivo Programme, are bringing a taste of Europe to UK bars and restaurants, from the 23rd to the 29th October.Â
Mediterranean Aperitivo Week is designed to highlight European-quality products through the ritual of an aperitivo, which began as a social phenomenon to end one’s work day and begin the evening. To this day, aperitivo is still an integral part of Mediterranean culture.
The aim of the campaign is to showcase the unique ingredients sourced from Italy and Greece to demonstrate the quality of European produce and the perfect moment of consumption to enjoy them. The products include Vermouth di Torino PGI, Pecorino Toscano PDO, PGI Costa d’Amalfi Lemon and Olives from Greece.
Bars and restaurants involved in the campaign have all created a signature Vermouth serve – which will be served to customers throughout the week.
Among the Scottish bars and restaurants taking part in Mediterranean Aperitivo Week are Hey Palu in Edinburgh, Ga Ga Kitchen & Bar in Glasgow and Gantry in Paisley.
The chosen charity partner for the project this year is The Drinks Trust. The Drinks Trust is a charity dedicated to the drinks and hospitality workforce. It strives to empower people in the industry through services designed to assist financially, restore well-being and develop skills, and to do so with compassion and respect.
£1 from every Mediterranean Aperitivo drink served during Mediterranean Aperitivo Week will be donated to The Drinks Trust.
The Drinks Trust seeks to create an equitable industry where opportunities to thrive are open to all.
Claudia Carrozzi, president of the UKBG, said; “We are excited to be partnering with the Mediterranean Aperitivo Programme on this exciting project. Aperitivo is growing in popularity across the UK and with this campaign we hope to bring alive just why to our members.
“We are dedicated to education and training across the industry and aim to provide bartenders and restaurateurs with the knowledge they need to provide authentic aperitivo that their customers will love alongside the story behind the rituals to help to educate and engage them on a deeper level.”
Roberto Bava, President of Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino, stated “We are pleased to collaborate with UKBG in order to spread the word of Mediterranean Aperitivo in the UK.
“Europe plays a key role in safeguarding the quality of its products and the four products that are a part of the Mediterranean Aperitivo campaign are a genuine example of quality.
“Bartenders, trade professionals and consumers all over the UK will have the chance to discover traditions behind olive grooving, the history and peculiarities of Pecorino Toscano and the unique scent of the “sfusato” from Amalfi. Of course, everything will be paired with Vermouth di Torino, an agricultural product with a century-long history, the real king of the aperitivo.”
The UK Bartenders Guild (UKBG) is one of the leading professional associations for the bar and hospitality sector. It is one of the UK’s longest running trade guilds and renowned for its integrity and distinction, is rebranding, with the intention of becoming the leader in future thinking within the hospitality sector.
Focusing on the three main principles: community, education and value, the UKBG works with industry leaders and members alike, in order to form the UK’s most revered platform for bartenders and brands.
The guild was founded in 1934 by industry professionals from some of London’s finest venues, the Guild set out to be a trade association of mutual benefit, to provide training, assistance with employment, as well as set industry standards and chair cocktail competitions. It went on to become a founding member of the International Bartenders Association, which continues to represent bartenders all over the world.
To find out more please visit https://ukbartendersguild.co.uk/
