The recently expanded team MONIN India got together last week for a 3 day training, designed to hone the Beverage Innovation Managers’ skills and knowledge.
Under aegis of MONIN MEIA Beverage Innovation Director, Andrea Fidora, ace barista and trainer, Suhas Dwarakanath and Sula’s wine tasting expert, Zaheen Khatri, the 11 BIMs discovered the latest trends in bar-tending, exciting tools for their craft and a whole range of flavours and ingredients to play with.
DAY 1
Andrea Fidora kick started the training with a quick refresher of MONIN heritage. The discussion then turned towards MONIN’s annual trends report. The team learned how the demands of cocktail lovers have changed in tune with the connected, social world of today. From Instagram worthy drinks to concoctions that invoke the nostalgia of the ‘good old days’, the session covered the likes and dislikes of this generation of bar goers.
DAY 2
Day 2 was all about coffee! Headlined by ace barista and coffee expert, Suhas Dwarakanath, the session started with the basics of coffee, such as varieties, brewing techniques and coffee art. The discussion continued around new and cool ways to include coffee and modern beverage menus, playing beyond its traditional role. Suhas also informed the BIMs about the latest trends around coffee, such as radical flavor profiles and innovative pairings.
DAY 3
Sula Vineyards’ Zaheen Khatri took the team on an insitu exploration of wines on day 3. From reading the labels correctly to judging the wine without a single sip, the participants gained new insights into the world of wines. The session traced the journey of some of Sula’s most popular wines, from the grape to the table, touching key concepts such as color, flavour profiles and food pairings. Another highlight was Sula’s new concept whiskey, Eclipse. Distilled from grape spirits and blended with fine scotch, Eclipse had the participants abuzz with anticipation and excitement.