FOOD

WATERLESS COOKING

Dining in a time of drought

I grew up and live in Durban and my work has allowed me to travel through every little town in KwaZulu-Natal. And I’ve spent time working in Sweden too.

I’m a social butterfly, a lover of life and this suits my job perfectly. I am curious by nature and love interacting with people from different walks of life.

Part of my job is training bartenders, teaching them about different spirit categories, and I’m the brand ambassador for Havana Club 7, a rum created in Cuba. My style is colourful, happy, funky and Indian chic. My fashion style is a reflection of my mood on the day.

One word to describe Cuba is “passion”. YESSS! The air is hot and the country humid and as you get off the plane the wave of heat hits you as does the air, the streets and the scenery in Havana. It just screams PASSION — the vibrancy, the colour, music, culture, the city is alive. Along the Malecón, day and night, Cubans come together to fish, play music, paint, drink rum and dance. Young and old, locals and foreigners, is doesn’t matter because everyone is included, and you can just feel the PASSION in the people.

In serving special cocktails for Valentine’s Day I would start with a favourite, mojito, as the action of making it represents the sassy notion of dance. Dance is the Cuban language of love.

Finding a romantic meal that reflects Cuba is a tricky one, but something I would pull on is their love for seafood. Lobster is a staple in Cuba. And they love ice cream — an “adult” rum’n’raisin would be perfect to end with. Being a curious guy, my hobbies and interests cover a range of things. Top of my list is fashion, the spirit industry and everything cocktail-related. And the outdoors, hiking and spending time in nature, this is where my body and mind recharge.

The advice I’d give anyone wanting to be a mixologist/brand ambassador is that it’s HARD work. If you think it’s just glitz and glam then you are fooled. Stay focused on what your goals are, know your brand, know your category and establish yourself as the guru of that spirit category.