One day isn’t enough to celebrate the contribution that females make to Aberdeen’s hospitality and drinks industry – so the city is making its International Women’s Day last a whole month!
“Aberdeen likes to do things a bit differently,” said renowned operations and drinks consultant Martin Farmer, who explained his own stake in International Women’s Day.
“I am a father of two, one being a beautiful young girl who turns nine this year; I have an unreal wife who I have seen give birth to those little humans; I have a sister who I see be challenged and succeed each day; and a wonderful mum – so IWD means quite a lot to me.”
With all that in mind, Martin has teamed up with ‘the incredible’ Mya Louise from the city’s Ninety-Nine cocktail bar and pizza joint, William Grant & Sons’ famed Hendricks gin, and Schweppes brand ambassador Ross Lawrie to create a month-long awareness campaign of the woman of Aberdeen’s hospitality trade.
The initiative actually kicked off last month with some initial training from Hendricks and Schweppes brand ambassadors ‘talking cucumbers and fizz’ at Bartenders Lounge, an event that drew 25 bartenders from around Aberdeen.
For March, there are 15 venues signed up to run cocktail menus – designed by the woman of those venues – for the whole month.
As well as Ninety-Nine, the Aberdeen venues joining in on the campaign to champion the ‘boss women’ in their bars and the wider industry include Siberia, No 10s, Bartenders Lounge, St. Machar Bar, O’Malley’s, Under the Hammer, The Old Workshop, Bonne Nuit, The Tippling House, The Ivy Lodge, The Cocktail Joint (in Elgin), The Albyn, and Dusk.
“On March 24th, we have seminars and a party planned in Ninety-Nine, where we will have Morgan, who is a trained therapist and works in O’Malley’s, hosting a chat on health and wellness,” said Martin.
“Taylor Noe who works in St. Machar Bar in Old Aberdeen will be discussing prominent woman of the Aberdeen brewing and distilling history – she did her PhD thesis on this – and then Daddy Marmalades from Glasgow will be up to host a chat around opening a bar and becoming one of the country’s top venues.
“On top of that we have several of Aberdeen’s up and coming woman bartenders joining some of the already established bartenders to get behind the bar at Ninety-Nine to showcase their cocktail creations.”
Speaking from Bartenders Lounge, Poppy Kerr said: ‘”What I love about IWD is the way it uplifts and amplifies the voices of women in hospitality, and how these brands show their support to the community.
“It gives us all a chance to celebrate the amazing women around us and appreciate their voices.”
Monica McQuilter of The Ivy Lodge commented: “I feel that International Women’s Day is a fantastic chance to reflect on the achievements of woman across the industry who often go under-represented, and honour their hard work and dedication.
“I have worked with a number of inspirational women throughout the years who have helped pass on their knowledge and the passion that they have in their roles, and for the hospitality industry.
“They have truly helped develop me into who I am today,” said Monica. “It is a pleasure to work alongside the amazing woman of Aberdeen who are constantly demonstrating their exceptional skill and talent across the city.”
Mya at Ninety-Nine added: “International Women’s Day has always meant a lot to me. It’s where we can shout about our personal growth and achievements, as well as the ones of those around us.
“It’s a celebration of woman achieving everything they set their minds to and a call for global equality – a recognition of the wonderful women in our lives and of your own self-worth.”
