Plain old bartenders and their soda guns are so 2008. For the 2009-2010 event season, Bar Chefs are the latest craze! These mixologists are known to spend more time in the kitchen preparing fresh juices, organic ingredients, edible flowers and flavorful herbs for an event, then they actually do behind the bar. While a tad on the expensive side, these cocktails are treated like fine dining experiences… and are worth every penny. Many Bar Chefs tend to create signature cocktails based on seasonally available ingredients in combination with unique top shelf liquor. Interesting ingredients to consider are lavender, honey, rosemary, ginger, fresh squeezed pomegranate, orange, apple and lime juices, nutmeg, dairy cream, muddled organic berries, star fruit, guava, mango… the list goes on and on! When speaking with your caterer or bar service provider, don’t forget to look for a way to incorporate this trend. The creation of a drink menu or a fresh cocktail pairing for a sit down gala can really add an incredibly posh feeling to any event. And never underestimate the show that a skilled Bar Chef can put on for your guests. They may not throw bottles around or light things on fire, but a chat with one of them can feel like a backstage pass to a Food Network event. These industry professionals are working towards making booze an art form, one cocktail at a time!