Who | Samantha Anastasi
Where | Toronto, Canada
Current Bar | BarChef
Past Bar(s) | Bar Kensei
Favourite Spirit | Gin
Favourite Juice | Watermelon
Favourite Classic Cocktail | Gimlet
First Classic Cocktail you ever had | Amaretto Sour
Favourite Part of the Job | Getting to experiment and create new innovative cocktails
Favourite After Work Drink | Umeshu soda
Favourite bar in the world | Suite 115 (Toronto)
Best known for | Savoury cocktails and using tallow and fat washing for sustainability
Favourite “at work” memory | Every Thursdays I experimented with 2 new cocktails. My team and I plus a couple regulars who knew about this would all gather before service starts to build these cocktails, taste test and alter as needed. Very precious We called it the Thursday rituals
What’s the most popular cocktail in your city? Old Fashioned
Favourite thing about your city | The diversity of food and culture. I get to experience all foods, cultures and ingredients without having to travel for it.
Who is your favourite fictional bartender? Moe Szyslak from The Simpsons
What was the last photo that you took? Of my collection of ties. ( I believe bartenders look the best in ties)
Where is one place that you have never been but would like to travel to? Tokyo, Japan
Any claims to fame? I started making drinks a year ago and quickly became the beverage director and manager of Kensei up until a short while ago.
Aperitivo or Digestivo? Aperitivo
Sparkling or Flat? Sparkling, I like my water spicy
Paper Plane or Penicillin? Paper Plane
Sherry or Vermouth? Sherry
Are you available for freelance gigs? Yes
Find them: Instagram
