Several Rhode Island-based bartenders joined spirits professionals from around the world at the 2019 Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) in New Orleans during the week of July 16-21. The annual industry event catering to the spirits industry and its professionals again drew brand ambassadors, bartenders, writers, suppliers and cocktail enthusiasts to the Big Easy for seminars, social gatherings, awards and cocktail competitions. Rhode Island’s Parker Luthman, Bartender at The Eddy in Providence, attended the conference in his second year as a member of the TOTC Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP), a mentorship program that gives bartending talent the opportunity to hone their skills under the tutelage of industry greats while learning to manage large-scale events. Parker worked with a team of CAP participants to prepare, batch and serve cocktails during a July 18 seminar, The Cocktail Menu: History and Theory, presented by cocktail historians David Wondrich and Jeff “Beachbum” Berry.

Luthman working during The Cocktail Menu: History and Theory seminar at Tales of the Cocktail on July 18.

Britt Simons, Arianna Hone, Parker Luthman, David Wondrich, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and RBritt Simons, Arianna Hone, Parker Luthman, David Wondrich, Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Ronan Keilthy.onan Keilthy.

Photos courtesy of Parker Luthman, The Eddy.