:: mentoring sessions at pdxcw ::

I just got back from Portland Cocktail Week two Friday nights ago. Before the event began, I had signed up to do mentoring sessions in the morning (meaning that I had to up and awake to make it to check-in by 8:55am and alive and present by 9am). I offered up my time for 9 official slots that were opened up to folks on the website, and 3 more happened from people reaching out before arriving in Portland (who couldn't get a slot with me -- the first 5 I registered for went in 18 minutes which made me add the other 4) or during the event. I sat in as a mentee on Monday to learn how to do the half hour session and what it felt like before doing the rest over the following 3 days. A lot of it was sussing out their personality and job type before getting at why they selected me for the session opposed to the other excellent mentors during the time slots. In the end, I had such a diverse crew who wanted to talk about writing a cocktail book, researching local flora for flavor (we both have academic backgrounds), moving up the ladder in the craft cocktail world, menu design to fit their restaurants theme and how to get press for it, and more. None of it was about actual recipes. In one, I actually rewrote their resume and handed it back to them later. And for another, they were in Chicago and wanting to progress, so when the session next to me was wrapping up, I called over the mentor there to talk to them -- namely Toby Maloney recently of The Violet Hour to chat with them about their city's scene (I'm not sure this baby bartender even knew who I was introducing them to, but it would probably dawn on them later). Overall, it was a touch over 6 hours for those sessions. I got a lot out of it even if it cost me sleep (I needed it especially after visiting Rum Club one night) and sometimes the ability of getting a solid breakfast. Overall, I walked away feeling extra inspired by what they were interested in, warmed by the connection, and excited by their enthusiasm, that I offered them my contact information if they wanted to follow up. Can't wait to do this again to help the next generation when I return to Portland Cocktail Week in the future.