CENTRAL Station’s highly anticipated new steak and gin restaurant, Alston Bar & Beef, is working with 80 hospitality HND students to undertake a cocktail challenge to develop a special gin cocktail for its impending launch.
The new venue, which will boast over 50 gins from around the world, wants the students to demonstrate their understanding of the various botanicals involved in the spirit. The challenge, will task the students to bring these botanicals together with interesting and tasteful ingredients to develop the perfect drink for the discerning gin connoisseur.
The winner of the competition will see their drink served within the new venue and will be one of the first to enjoy it when the doors open in May. The lucky student will also have the opportunity to prepare their drink for guests on the opening night.
Judging the students will be Scott Gemmell, managing director of Glasgow-based mixology company, LA Group, and Alston manager, Matthew Mustard. The judging will take place week commencing April 22nd.
Commenting on the competition, Matthew Mustard, manager of Alston’s said: “We have been working hard with suppliers around the world so that Alston will have the biggest and best gin list in Glasgow’s city centre. We have gins from Holland to America, as well as over ten that originate from Scotland.
“We have spent months developing this list to reflect the various different botanical combinations available. Much like the quality and cuts of our steaks, we want our customers to have the very best.
“For the students at the college this will be a perfect opportunity to raise their profile with some key people in the trade, but will also give them a first-hand glance at what it takes to develop a restaurant and a menu that will attract diners.”
Gordon McIntyre, head of the Hospitality Department at City of Glasgow College, added: “What a fantastic opportunity this will be for our students. It is so important that we engage with industry to allow our students the best chance for employment and to work with Glendola on a new opening is fantastic.
“The cocktail competition will be exciting for the students to work on. Cocktails are now back in vogue and available in most quality bars, so this will encourage students to learn more about gin and its versatility as a cocktail ingredient.”
Alston is currently on a major recruitment drive, seeking to fill more than 40 full and part-time positions for the venue which is located under the main entrance to Scotland’s busiest station.
The 70-cover restaurant is seeking out the city’s hottest hospitality talent at a series of open days at Waxy O’Connor’s to ensure that quality is the watchword for the new underground venue.
The senior management of parent group, Glendola Leisure who operate a number of other venues in Glasgow, will run the open day recruitment sessions today (27th March) and on the 31st March, from 2pm to 7pm at Waxy O’Connor’s,44 West George St, Glasgow.
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Contact: Lucy Nicolson
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Email: lucy.nicolson@bigpartnership.co.uk
