I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Sofie McKeever-Ford, a passionate rising star in the bartending world at Baptist St Rec Club. While Sofie was mixing up cocktails, we discussed passion, techniques, trends, and challenges faced within the hospitality industry. Here’s a glimpse into our conversation.
What made you get into the bartending game?
I had a big change in careers when my Floristry job fell through. I was working at a pub at the time and didn’t really know what to do, so I started making cocktails with the help of my work mum/mentor Alyce Murphy, who works within the hospitality industry. I fell in love with this newly found knowledge, ran with it from there, and never looked back.
What is your favourite part of behind the bar?
I love the feeling of never knowing how the night is going to go, or what you’re going to get. You’ll meet all different kinds of people with different backgrounds and stories. Each night is something new and exciting that just builds over time.
How do you keep your bar knowledge sharp with techniques and trends?
I am constantly trying new techniques, I learn from other industry professionals and cocktail books from people like Dave Arnold’s Liquid Intelligence and Krystal Hart from Campari. There are so many incredible resources out there at your reach. I’m constantly picking up new things from the other people I work with – as well as keeping up to date with the latest trends going around.
From your perspective – what are some challenges the bar industry faces?
There is still so much growth that can be made. We’ve seen this amazing new wave of female and non-binary bartenders coming up and making noise – creating an evolution throughout the industry. It’s such an important topic of discussion and it’s incredible to see become more common.
What is your favourite cocktail?
Depends on the month honestly. But recently I love a Paper plane or just a classic Tommy’s Margarita. Always hits the spot.