Bittered Sling Bitters | Balance. Do we finally have some?
1999
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Balance. Do we finally have some?

Balance. Do we finally have some?

By Leon Wilkes Back.

The hospitality industry globally was put on pause when lockdown came into effect across the world. Now things are starting back up again, bartenders are looking at their daily routines with a different perspective and with new priorities. Some have taken to fitness with great enthusiasm and excitement. Cycling in particular has become a much bigger part of London life. For hospitality in London, it has changed people’s perspective on what their priorities are in life.

Fitness, diet quality, balance of alcoholic intake and learning about what is good for us and our bodies has also been a topic of conversation with many of my colleagues here in London. Our staff meals at Bar Swift are vegetarian, which is both price friendly and nutritious with the attitude of fuelling our staff well. Keeping a balance in what we drink and eat it great for your physical and mental health with the goal of longevity. It really boosts your positivity knowing someone has made something so nourishing for you with love and attention along with deliciousness!

I myself have been focussing on a few elements that I can improved on each day when it comes to balance and structure in life. For example; getting better sleep as even though service is back up and running. We now have the time to get the rest we need with shorter service hours, as well as having time during the day to focus on their fitness goals as well as learning new elements of hospitably.

I have noticed a larger focus on cooking at home than ever before. Many creative bartenders have taken to the kitchen to make fresh pasta, sourdough bread, homemade vinegars and oils. These people are using the time they would have put in behind a bar into their own kitchen, learning new skills in hospitality and the alchemy of working with flavours. Watching the expression of innovation and creativity is one of the reasons why I fell in love with this industry.

This crisis has crippled our industry however, it has shone a light on two important points. It has emphasised the importance of having a good work life balance and it has highlighted what is important to prioritize in your life that you want to live.

For me it has really shown me what my true passions and beliefs are about what I do. Hospitality in times of uncertainty is very powerful. Building trust back into our industry and guest to continue forward. The best way to achieve this is our honesty with ourselves about what we want, not just in the kitchen or behind the bar but in all aspects of our life.

Leon Wilkes Back is a Scottish bartender living in London, England. Leon is a part of the dynamic team at Bar Swift.


STAYING FRESH
By Leon Wilkes Back

1 oz (30 mL) Everleaf
2 Dashes (2 mL) Bittered Sling Cascade Celery Bitters
Fever Tree Italian Blood Orange Soda

Add to a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Fever Tree Italian Blood Orange Soda.
Grapefruit slice to garnish.