E262 Alex Black

This weeks guest is Alex Black, Director of Bars at Our House Hospitality Company. With over 20 years immersed in the world of bars, Alex has refined his craft and passion for hospitality to a high level. Originally from Winnipeg, Alex had the privilege of working in some of Canada’s most esteemed establishments. In 2011, he began calling Vancouver home, significantly contributing to the city’s vibrant cocktail scene. In 2024, Alex embarked on a new chapter in Toronto, excited to explore fresh opportunities and bring my experience to a new and dynamic community.

Alex’s journey is supported by a broad range of certifications and credentials, establishing him as one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and certified bartenders. Alex holds a Level 3 Diploma in Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), as well as certifications from the International Sommelier Guild, Beverage Alcohol Resource Group, West Indies Rum and Spirit Producers Association, Consejo Regulador del Tequila, Society of Wine Educators, and Pernod Ricard & École Hôtelière de Lausanne.

Alex’s career has also been enriched by valuable time spent working in distilleries across the globe, deepening his understanding of the craft from the ground up. In 2018, Alex was honoured with the title of Vancouver’s Best Bar Personality and the Global Winner at the Tahona Society Bartender competition, a recognition that reflects his dedication to advancing mental health conversations within the hospitality industry. As managing partner and creative director for acclaimed Vancouver establishments, Alex played an instrumental role in securing accolades, including being named Canada’s Best New Bar by Canada’s 100 Best and earning regional honours for World’s Best New Cocktail Bar by Tales of the Cocktail.

blacktending.com

@blacktending

A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia. Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, restaurants and cocktail lovers alike and built by a bartender with more than a decade of experience behind the bar. Several of the features includes the ability to create your own Imbiblia Recipe Cards with the Imbiblia Cocktail Builder, rapidly select ingredients, garnishes, methods and workshop recipes with a unique visual format, search by taste using flavor profiles unique to Imbiblia, share recipes publicly plus many more……Imbiblia - check it out!

Contact the host Kypp Saunders by email at [email protected] for products from Elora Distilling, Malivoire Winery and Terroir Wine Imports.

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