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Brewers, bars and fans unite to help Skeleton Key Brewery

by Richard Dement on


WOODRIDGE, IL – After a tornado damaged Skeleton Key Brewery in Woodridge on Sunday, regular customers and members of the local brewing community came together to donate their space, time and funds to help the beloved brewery. In the days immediately following the tornado, local brewers and bar and taproom owners purchased the remaining Skeleton Key Brewery beer, stored their raw materials, scheduled fundraisers, shared their facilities, and donated food. , hugs and moral support.

Emily Slayton, co-owner of Skeleton Key Brewery with her husband Paul and brother John Szopa told Patch it was hard to say “how grateful we are for the support we have received” since their world was upset by The Sunday tornado.

A “destroyed dream”

via Emily Slayton

The five-year-old brewery had just expanded its tasting room to add a lounge and event space. The 2,500-square-foot living room debuted less than three months before Sunday’s EF-3 tornado. “We were doing great,” Slayton said. “We had doubled our workforce. Everything came and went.

Slayton’s voice quivered as she told Patch about the moment she learned that Skeleton Key Brewery had been hit. She had listened to the police scanner until 3 a.m. Monday and heard a report of “serious structural damage at 8102 Lemont Rd., Skeleton Key Brewery”.

“I still can’t say it without being hushed up,” Slayton said.

Slayton’s brother John arrived at the brewery first after firefighters let him pass barricades that had been put up due to downed power lines, gas leaks, fire and other damage near. The walls were “actively collapsing” as firefighters escorted John through as much of the brewery as possible, Slayton told Patch.

She said John started to “shake so hard” that firefighters escorted him. When Slayton and her husband arrived at the scene, John burst into tears.

“It’s gone man, it’s gone, it’s all gone,” he told them.

Unable to sleep, Slayton returned to the brewery on Monday to find her “dream just destroyed”. The tornado had demolished the space, ripping off the roof, shattering the glass and collapsing the walls of the entire brewery.

Doors had been blown out, water, debris and loose wires were everywhere, the walls of neighboring businesses had blown in their living rooms.

It “looked like a box that had been picked up and shaken,” Slayton told Patch.

Related: 11 Dogs Rescued From Woodridge Boarding School After Tornado

“Such a favorable industry”

The day before the tornado, Skeleton Key Brewery had canned 250 cases of beer. They had raw materials ready to start brewing on Monday, Slayton told Patch.

The tornado cut off electricity to the building, meaning the brewery was forced to dump the beer into its tanks.

Skeleton Key Brewery would have had to sacrifice its remaining beer cans and kegs, as well as its brewing equipment, had it not been for the local breweries to come to the rescue.

Darien’s Miskatonic Brewing Company immediately put the raw materials for Skeleton Key into storage. Since, as Slayton said, yeast is “highly perishable,” local breweries are going to use these brewing materials as well.

Skeleton Key has brewing dates in place at Miskatonic, Werk Force Brewing Co. of Plainfield, and Whiskey Hill Brewing Co. of Westmont.

“Distant bars, bottle shops and breweries everywhere” had called to inquire about buying beer since hearing about the tornado damage from Skeleton Key Brewery.

Tuesday, representatives of Pabst Blue Ribbon helped move the remaining beer from Skeleton Key Brewery to Miskatonic, where patrons, bars, bars and restaurants have flocked to buy it.

“Pretty much every brewery in the area,” said Slayton, including Alter Brewing, Mikerphone Brewing, and Metal Monkey Brewing. Within hours, 250 cases of beer and 50 kegs were sold.

Breweries, bars and restaurants have strived to offer bartending positions to the beloved employees of the Skeleton Brewery. Others organized and planned special events to donate the profits to the brewery. Support has come from Goldfinger Brewing, 2 Fools Cider, Sovereign, Orange and Brew, Wolfden Brewing, First Forest Brewing, Ike and Oak Brewing, Elmhurst Brewing, Liquid Love Brewing, Iron & Glass Taproom and Chuck’s Cafe, to name a few. only a few.

Slayton said it had been “such a humbling experience.”

“We are really lucky to be in such a supportive industry,” she said.

Fundraising efforts

Slayton said Charlotte Converse of Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village started a GoFundMe to help Skeleton Key Brewery.

On the first day of the fundraiser, Slayton said she and her family were “so upset we couldn’t even look at her.” In just four days, the GoFundMe page raised over $ 122,000 to help with payroll, repairs, and the cost of moving salvageable items.

Slayton said she and her team are determined to be transparent about how they plan to use the funds. “Out of respect for the people who have donated their hard-earned money to help us get back, we want to make sure we know very clearly where that money is going,” Slayton said.

Pick up the pieces

Since Sunday, Emily Slayton, her husband Paul and her brother John have worked tirelessly to “minimize the impact on everyone else related to this”.

They met and comforted the employees, called in customers to help them find alternative venues for their special events, and surveyed their original reception hall to make a list of items that could be salvaged from what is left of their brewery. . The new space is a “complete waste,” Slayton told Patch.

Over the next few days, they will work with their landlord, accountants, contractors and insurance representatives and develop a plan for the immediate future.

Amid their own trauma, Slayton said Skeleton Key Brewery is still looking for ways to help others affected by the tornado.

“Yes [the brewery] hadn’t been so completely destroyed, ”Slayton said, they could have been a“ safe haven ”for those in need.

“We’re trying to find something that we can do for the community as a whole,” Slayton said.

Skeleton Key’s GoFundMe description is a testament to their generous spirit. Charlotte Converse of Mikerphone Brewing wrote: “They have always stepped forward to help others when needed, and now it’s our turn to help when needed.”

How to help Skeleton Key Brewery

Upcoming events benefiting Skeleton Key Brewery include:

Click on the link to donate to GoFundMe for Skeleton Key Brewery.


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Bar fight: the record for Wednesday 23 June

by Richard Dement on


Wednesday 23 June 2021

12:46 Steamboat Springs Police Department officers responded to a hit and run vehicle crash on Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue.

13:25 Officers received a report of a theft in the 1600 block of Mid Valley Drive.

13:28 Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an illegal fire in Block Zero of Route 42 from Routt County to Steamboat. Routt County is currently under Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit all open fires and campfires and the use of explosives, as well as welding and torch cutting equipment. .

14:41 Officers received a call about a fraud at a post office on the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue.

22:36 Officers responded to a complaint about fireworks on Yampa Street and Lincoln Avenue.

10:51 p.m. Officers were sent to a physical brawl at a bar in the 1000 block of Lincoln Avenue.

Total number of incidents: 60

• Steamship officers responded to 42 cases, including service calls and officer-initiated incidents such as traffic stops.

• Sheriff’s assistants responded to 15 cases, including service calls and agent-initiated incidents such as traffic stops.

• Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue firefighters responded to three calls for service.

The file provides an overview of police activity and is not a comprehensive report of all police activity. Appeals such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and juvenile situations do not usually appear in The Record.

To reach Alison Berg, call 970-871-4229 or email [email protected]

Steamboat and Routt County readers make the work of Steamboat Pilot & Today possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

More than ever, your support is essential to help us keep our community informed about the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact at the local level. Every contribution, big or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased media coverage.



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LGBTQ community bids farewell to Louisville gay bar ahead of pride month

by Richard Dement on


In the days leading up to Christmas, Mike Flatt and his team were wrapping hundreds of gifts for Tryangles customers.

The owner of the bar knew that many of them did not have a home they would be welcome in for the holidays.

So, in many ways, the recently closed Louisville gay bar has become their home.

This meant that on Christmas everyone was leaving the bar with armfuls of goodies, and on Thanksgiving people crowded into the bar for a full turkey dinner. When the bar first opened in the early 90s, fewer families were kissing gays and their partners. Getting home from mom and dad meant her customers often had to pretend to be someone they weren’t at the table or the men they loved weren’t invited. So Flatt decorated the hallways and put on the best possible celebration.

Acceptance of the LGBTQ community is not universal today, but it has certainly increased. This means that while there are more inclusive and safe spaces around town for the LGBTQ community, it creates a sort of loss for places like Tryangles which traditionally cater to a specifically gay crowd.

Flatt saw the declineamong patrons over the years as her Thanksgiving table cleared up and her clientele became more comfortable in traditional bars.

Mike flatt

Today, gay men have so many other places to go, Flatt saidme when I met him on a South Indiana porch in late June, about a month after Tryangles closed its doors for goodat 209 S. Preston St. They can comfortably walk into any bar on Bardstown Road or downtown Louisville.

It’s a beautiful, but difficult, problem for anyone who owns a traditional gay bar, he said.

Tryangles hadn’t really made any money in about 12 years, Flatt told me. After nearly three decades of activity, the bar could no longer maintain itself.

You can like:From Oscar Wilde to same-sex marriage, here’s a timeline of Louisville’s LGBTQ history

Flatt has since moved to Mexico, but I hadn’t followed himon a recent trip back to town to talk about the drop. When the bar closed in May, it was Louisville’s oldest gay bar and an institution for the LGBTQ community. So in tribute, I spent timeafter closing by chatting with the people who were instrumental in the heyday of Tryangles.

Flatt was frank with me when we first met. He was never a drinker and the whole story of “owning a bar” started as fluke.

Flatt bought his original bar, Teddy Bears at 1148 Garvin Place, on a whim for $ 2,700 in 1987. The previous owner needed the cash quickly, and Flatt had a wad of it in his pocket because ‘he was buying old paintings.

The old Tryangles bar, on South Preston Street in downtown Louisville, Ky. June 17, 2021

He didn’t know anything about drinking culture or running a bar, he told me, but he figured he could throw beer. He was right, and about seven years later that success spread to a second bar with Tryangles.

Flatt hired Teddy Bears bartender Richard McLargin Jr., better known among the guests as “Turtle,” to run the yard at Tryangles. They left him with “a lot of wood and a lot of money” and from there he created a country western themed bar with a corral-like dance floor, porches and a bar that was supposed to look like downtown. .

The focal point was a saddle adorned with a mosaic of small mirrors to make it look like a disco ball.

“It was beautiful, and it was sharp as hell,” McLargin recalled, as he described hanging it on the wall.

Tryangles was supposed to open on April 1, 1994, he recalls, but that was postponed. When the carpet appeared just days before opening, it was pink – and it wasn’t meant to be pink.

“Don’t look outside,” McLargin recalls telling Flatt and his partner, Charles Baker Sr.

“It’s a gay bar, isn’t it?” the carpet company told McLargin, which infuriated everyone involved.

A black carpet was installed instead and Tryangles opened a week later.

Out of the shadows: Why these people are learning about Louisville’s LGBTQ history

Tryangles float participants at the 15th Annual Kentuckiana Pride Parade in Louisville. June 19, 2015

The back room has evolved like the bar, Flatt recalls. Connections, near 120 S. Floyd St. was the popular place to dance, so eventually they reinvented this corral and brought in strippers instead.

They were energetic and talented straight boys who submitted to the University of Louisville.

One became a doctor and another has since secured a prominent position at a large Louisville company, said Flatt, speaking proudly of them and also carefully to avoid revealing their past as a dancer.

Privacy, as you can imagine, is essentialfor many in the LGBTQ community.

This is part of the reason why there are no photos of the 27-year-old’s nightlife attached to this column. Photos from the early days of Tryangles are exceptionally difficult to find.

Flatt had nothing of the interior on hand, and even as we perused the shutter bar’s Facebook page, he was respectful tothe bar clientele. He has spent nearly three decades protecting his family. It wasn’t going to stop now that the doors were closed.

Darrell Robinson, a retired drag queen known as Cissy Blake, told me he had always felt like part of this family. Stepping into Tryangles was like stepping into that bar from the sitcom “Cheers”. The bartenders knew his drink, which was vodka, soda, and a dash of orange juice. He had hisown stool and he spent most afternoons at Tryangles during happy hour. For a brief period, he hosted a karaoke for the bar, which filled Tryangles with endlessshow arias and songs by Elvis Presley.

It was the kind of place where if you walked in as a foreigner, you didn’t stay a foreigner for long.

Read it:It’s pride month! Here are more than 7 things to do around Louisville to support the LGBTQ community

A painting by Louisville Archivist David Williams of the exterior of Tryangles, a popular Louisville gay bar that recently closed.

Robinson, who was one of the first publicly HIV positive people in Louisville, remembers young gay men coming to the bar, pulling him aside, and confiding their own status on him. During his own trip, he fell to 133 pounds and his outlook grew so bleak that his family put a marker on his funeral plot.

“If I can get through this, you can get away with it,” he would say to the frightened men at the bar, trying to be the moment of light they were looking for.

In many cases, Tryangles had been his family, especially when his own family began to disappear. He also wanted to be that for others.

The warmth you felt upon entering the bar was really what set it apart from its competition, Robinson told me.

It was theattitude Flatt insisted on, and that was part of the reason he named his first bar Teddy Bears. He didn’t want someone to walk into his business without a hug. He tried to keep the bar to become click-ish. The people who came to his bar were his friends. They didn’t just buy him drinks. Flatt invited many of them to his home in southern Indiana and for day trips on his boat. When they were going through difficult times, he often paid their water or electricity bills.

A poster of Tryangles last night.

He tried to build a culture of love and acceptance for people, who often never felt it elsewhere.

Eventually, however, Flatt’s health declined and about 13 years ago he began dividing his time between Louisville and Mexico City. He hung on to the building, but handed the business over to the son he and Baker raised together. As the bar struggled and finances dwindled, the sale of the building became necessary.

Related:For Pride Month, here are some of our favorite LGBTQIA + inclusive bars in Louisville

He is proud that the place of the LGBTQ community in this city has evolved so much that his family feels comfortable wherever they want to go.

It hurt, however, to see the bar close. It was like losing a piece of himself.

It doesn’t change what space meant to him for 27 years. As he spoke about what he had created, his smile was as striking as that beautiful, beautiful mirrored saddle.

“I had fun,” he told me. “It was the main thing, I had fun. No matter where I went I wanted people to have fun and this is how I lived my life. Trying to make everyone have a smile on their face. “

Specialist columnist Maggie Menderski can be reached at [email protected]


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Vanessa Briones leads 906 Sports Bar power-off in Iron Range Women’s Softball League | News, Sports, Jobs

by Richard Dement on


ISHPEMING – Vanessa Briones netted three braces to lead a strong hitting streak as 906 Sports Bar rebounded Pasquali 21-11 in a Class B game played in the Iron Range Women’s Softball League on June 9.

Teammate Jordan Kowalski added a pair of trebles, Danielle Minkel hit a triple and a double, Tayler Gray made a homer and Lexi Pomplun and Thalicia DelAngelo both doubled.

For Pasquali’s, Jess Geist tripled and doubled while Alan Nuorala doubled.

In other “B” match, Traci Sundberg and Hannah Salmi each scored to lead Martin Sports to a 13-10 victory over Globe Printing, which got a homerun from Chelsee Pekrul and a triple from Loretta Willey.

Rhonda Williams tripled to make pitcher Doni Hernandez a winner as Quality Car Care took a 19-13 victory over Signs Unlimited, which got a homerun from Leah Dompierre.

A massive 19-point fourth inning led Jasper Ridge Brewery to a 26-12 victory over Venice-Hickey’s, which Gabby Concord homed in.

Megan Mattson hit a homerun and Marissa Carello and Jordann Grigg both trebled to lead Jack’s Teepee to a big 38-13 victory over Dave’s Collision, of which Michelle Roose was cited in his defense.

In Class A, Maria Slater hit a home run out of the park as Heritage Glove Repair beat Tino’s 32-7.

Slater went 4 for 4, as did Britney Rovelsky, while teammate Brandi Logan was 5 for 5. Tino’s Marina Nault, Katie Rankinen and Miranda Roose all made it 2 for 2.

More “A” action, Mariah Dunham hit a homerun, doubled up and finished 4 for 5 as Screened Image-Venice 2 beat Buck’s Party Store 24-13.

Her teammate Niki Pfluger was 5 for 5 with a double, while Buck’s Debbie Zummak went 3 for 5 with a double and Bobbie Ayotte was 3 for 4.

Buster had the bye of the week.

In Class C, Chastity Ellet and Kelly Hebert both tripled as Paradise Bar passed UP Fabricating 18-16.

Ellet went 5 for 5, while Hebert and her teammate Kathy Maynard were both 4 for 5. For UPF, Alyse Schaffer and Jessica Noskey each got 4 for 4.

In other “VS” contest, Chelsea Roberts and Livvie Wood both got 5 for 5 to help Pineshears beat Palomaki Family Chiropractic 32-6.

Roberts did a homer, Wood tripled, and teammate Toni Tikkanen also did a 4-for-5 homerun.

Katie Trudgeon and Liz Valela were both 3 for 3 for Palomaki.

Jamie Kibler was 4 for 4 with a homer and a double as the Eagles flew over Willey’s Tire Shop 19-4.

Teammate Micailly Carlson was 3 for 4 with two triples and a double to help pit pitcher Elaina Treloar to win.

Willey’s Brooke Mitchell was 3 for 3 while Krystal Heikkinen went 2 for 3.

Information compiled by Sports Journal Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee @ miningjournal. report.

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Market value of energy bars expected to reach US $ 1,011.2

by Richard Dement on


LOS ANGELES, June 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The Global Energy Bars Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 6.5% from 2020 to 2027 and reach a market value of over US $ 1,011.2 million by 2027.

North America is expected to hold the largest share of the world market, as it is the largest producer and consumer of energy bars. The organic energy bar market is driven by growing consumer demand for convenient and healthy energy boosting food products in the region. Growing consumer demand for sports nutrition along with product innovation by food manufacturers such as adding different flavors to energy bars is driving the growth of organic energy bars market.

DOWNLOAD EXAMPLES OF PAGES FROM THIS REPORT @ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-sample/2678

Countries like China and Australia generate the majority of revenue in the Asia-Pacific region. During the forecast period, Asia-Pacific is expected to have the highest CAGR in the organic energy bar industry. Consumers in the region are increasingly interested in organic and energy-boosting food products. Additionally, many customers prefer gluten-free products. Many food processing industries have started offering gluten-free energy bars as a result of market research. Throughout the assessment period, these factors are expected to fuel the Organic Energy Bars market.

Growth factors

The demand for flavored energy bars has grown rapidly and continues to grow at a rapid rate. The preference for fusion aroma and nutty aroma has increased dramatically in developed markets, resulting in increased demand for ethnic flavors. The growing popularity of energy foods, drinks and gels has resulted in the incorporation of more distinct flavor profiles, leading to the growth of the global energy gels market. With the emergence of modern retail formats, a new format for large-format shopping center operations in the form of food courts and specialty stores has emerged. These food courts and specialty stores provide consumers with easy access to food and drink during shopping and entertainment activities, as well as the ability to select a different product by comparing it on the spot. These improved retail formats have helped companies deliver their energy bar products to consumers more efficiently.

SEE THE TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THIS REPORT @ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/energy-bar-market

The increasing complexity of healthcare and the growing number of health conscious people are expected to drive the energy bar market over the predicted years. In addition, the increasing demand for energy foods, beverages and a wide range of other products is propelling the growth of the market. In addition, the growing sports nutrition industry and the growing interest in health and wellness are expected to positively impact the growth of the market. There are certain restraints and challenges that may hinder the growth of the market. The high cost of energy bars compared to traditional snack bars is likely to stifle market growth.

Segmental overview

The global energy bars market is segmented on the basis of type, nature and distribution channel. By Type, the market is segmented into Protein Bar, Nutrition Bar, Cereal Bar, and Fiber Bar. Based on nature, the market is classified into organic and conventional. In addition, the distribution channel is separated into hypermarkets and supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores and online sales channel.

Some of the main competitors are PowerBar, Honey Stinger, Clif Bar & Company, Gatorade, General Mills, Inc., Humm Foods, Inc., and among others.

Browse upcoming market research reports @ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/forthcoming-reports

Some of the major observations regarding the Energy Bars market include:

  • In April 2016, PowerBar announced the relaunch of new products and renewed packaging. Already off to a good start this year, the brand launched a new protein shake and launched a new range of protein bars with reduced sugar content. The new Simple Fruit Energy Food, a real fruit puree, will hit stores alongside sports gels in April with additional nutrient-dense foods in 2016 and beyond.
  • In May 2021, Clif Bar & Company announced the launch of a new CLIF® advertising campaign: “Let’s Move the World”. In an effort to inspire more people to move more often, “Let’s Move the World” embraces the spirit of adventure and celebrates the openness to try, the energy to do and the nutrition it takes to move the world. world.

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DOTA 2 TI10 could leave Sweden after vote banning esports from sports federation

by Richard Dement on


Valve’s follow-up requests to qualify The International were immediately rejected by the Swedish Home Secretary.

Despite previous conversations and assurances given to Valve, Sweden refused to qualify the International Championships – DOTA 2 as an elite sporting event. This is an exemption offered to other elite sporting events that allow players, talents and staff to acquire visas to travel.

Valve announced in a June 21, 2021 article that the Swedish Sports Federation voted not to accept esport into the sports federation. This denial of qualification means that players who would normally be able to apply for a visa and enter the country, would be denied. The post also notes that it would be up to each border officer to decide whether someone was eligible to enter the country.

Other calls were made, including an option for the Home Secretary to reclassify The International as an elite sporting event, but these were dismissed. The post then explains the other options on the table and points out that Valve still plans to host the event in Europe this year.

We filed an appeal directly with the Swedish government on June 9, but they were unable to provide assistance. On June 14, we asked them to reconsider their decision, and so far they have not been able to come up with a resolution. As a result, and in light of the current political situation in Sweden, we have started to look for possible alternatives elsewhere in Europe to host the event this year, in case the Swedish government is not able to host the championships. international – Dota 2 as expected. We are confident that in either case we will have a solution that will allow us to hold TI10 in Europe this year, and that we will be able to announce an updated plan in the very near future.

It wasn’t until last year that Valve chose to delay DOTA 2’s The International due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While there were hopes that 2021 would mean a return to the norm, it seems there are more hurdles to overcome before players can fight in the DOTA 2 Championships.

Despite this recent setback, Valve says the DOTA 2 TI10 qualifiers will still take place on June 23. Make sure to keep it locked to Shacknews as we bring you the latest news on The International – DOTA 2 Championships.

Originally from the lower lands, Sam Chandler brings a touch of the southern hemisphere to his work. After touring a few universities, earning a bachelor’s degree, and entering the video game industry, he found his new family here at Shacknews as a guide editor. There is nothing he loves more than creating a guide that will help someone. If you need help with a guide, or if you notice something wrong, you can tweet it: @SamuelChandler



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San Francisco’s Taj Campton Place reopens bar and bistro

by Richard Dement on


San Francisco’s iconic hotel, Taj Campton Place, is known for its fusion of modern luxury and warm, hospitable service. Situated above all the hustle and bustle of Union Square, it offers sweeping views of the cityscape, as well as a two Michelin star dining experience at the eponymous Campton Place restaurant, run by Executive Chef Srijith Gopinathan.

While this dining option is not yet open to customers, Taj Campton Place has just reopened its bar & bistro, best known for its comfort food, handcrafted cocktails and intimate ambiance. Its elegant and refined ambiance is perfect for business meetings, after-shopping dinners, locals in need of a drink and more. Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco’s shopping and dining district, it’s a popular place to relax, so much so that seating is only available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Among the most noteworthy dishes are the black truffle fries accompanied by a delicious buttermilk garlic dip; Ricotta ravioli with cauliflower, red cherries, tomato sauce and Parmesan; Fish of the day simmered with asparagus, English peas and virgin basil; Aged New York steak with fries and mixed salad and the Paneer Makhani with basmati rice, lentil wafer and mango pickles.

We chatted with Chef Srijith Gopinath Girijia, who oversees the two Michelin star Cal-Indian restaurant Campton Place and the hotel’s bar & bistro, about his inspiration for the in-room dining menu, which was a main stay during the pandemic; the reopening of the Bar & Bistro; and more. Here is what he had to say.

The food at the hotel has a bad reputation as it is overpriced and not that great, unfortunately. How is the cuisine at Taj Campton Place different and what do you hope guests take away from their stay?

We are in the unique position of having a Michelin Star Chef who creates and oversees the entire food and beverage program at Taj Campton Place, including in-room dining. We have the ability to create an in-room dining experience that outperforms the competition.

You offer full in-room dining service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which is a rarity in San Francisco. Why is it so important that you offer this to your guests?

Food and drink has always been such an important part of the overall experience at Taj Campton Place. We really want to create an atmosphere in which guests can return as much as possible to pre-pandemic life.

Are guests harder to please right now? Was it difficult to get guests back to the hotel and travel again?

Our experience has been that our guests have been extremely understanding and appreciated by the efforts of the hotel team. There is such a beautiful feeling of freedom and happiness that emanates from the mood of our guests and it has been so pleasant and rather contagious for all of us. We have seen that as the number of people vaccinated increases, the number of occupations increases and we expect this trend to continue.

How did the reopening of the hotel and restaurant program go?

We had plenty of time to plan our reopening, and although the city and CDC sanitary guidelines were an ever-changing landscape, we were well prepared and as a result the reopening went very well.

What is your inspiration for the in-room dining menu?

Healthy, hearty and comforting dishes created with seasonal ingredients and simple, familiar cooking techniques. Most of the dishes on our dining room menu are our interpretation of something we would cook at home.

Has anything on the Bar & Bistro menu changed since closing? What is the inspiration for the menu?

We’re excited to bring back some of our customer’s favorites, such as our Chicken Curry and Cheeseburger with Fries. We have added seasonal menu items to the hotel’s Bar & Bistro menu. Inspiration comes from the bounty of California, as well as some of my favorite comfort food from India.

What do you think customers are looking for in a dining experience on a night out on the town now?

Since most people have been dining at the house for a year, guests want to get out of the house and into town! With a long history as a ‘place to see’ in the heart of the city – attracting shoppers from nearby luxury boutiques, high profile businesses and travelers from around the world – Taj Campton Place’s Bar & Bistro is known for its cuisine high comforting, handcrafted cocktails and intimate ambience. The Bar & Bistro is the ideal meeting place to share a memorable meal with loved ones.

What can customers expect when they dine at the newly reopened restaurant?

The Bar & Bistro will be open seven days a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The most notable dishes on the menu include baked beets with grapefruit, mint, goat cheese and hazelnuts; black truffle and garlic buttermilk fries; ricotta ravioli with cauliflower, candied cherries, tomato & provolone sauce; and chicken curry with basmati rice, lentil wafer and mango pickles. The Bar & Bistro also offers an exceptional wine list and a selection of handcrafted cocktails. Places are available on a first come, first served basis.


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Where to buy Cadbury’s Twirl Breakaway bar in the UK

by Richard Dement on


It’s not every day that Cadbury comes up with a new creation, so naturally I’m excited. Step inside the Twirl Breakaway, which consists of two Flake bars sandwiched between two wafers and covered in Cadbury’s quintessential dairy milk chocolate. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Those who know chocolate will certainly recognize this combo. There is a striking similarity to the treat formerly known as the Time Out bar. Bur more on that later.

First spotted in B&M stores across the country, the Cadbury Twirl Breakaway is available for purchase now and costs £ 1.49, according to @treatsinstore. At the moment, it doesn’t appear to be available in major online supermarkets, but that doesn’t mean it’s hiding on physical shelves.

Almost as soon as Instagram food critic accounts discovered Cadbury’s new creation, users began to point out how similar it was to the Time Out bar.

The original Time Out bar consisted of a ripple of milk chocolate between two wafers and was sold with the slogan: “the wafer breaks with a layer of flake”. Sadly, the bar was discontinued in 2016 after it was considered the brand’s least popular treat. Instead, the bar has been replaced with a One-Finger Time Out, which has smaller layers of chocolate between the wafer.

Cadbury’s has since issued a statement responding to the comments. “We can confirm that they are not the same, but how each one is made is a secret, known only to our brilliant chocolate makers,” the brand said ambiguously. Subway. So this is it.



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Man who stabbed Maryland deputy in fight bar lawsuit, says investigation unfair

by Richard Dement on


A man who stabbed a deputy on leave during a brawl at a bar in Prince George County, Md., Sues the county police department, saying its investigation was unfair and ignored the critical details of what had happened.

In December 2018, Christopher Dewitt said he was having a drink inside the Sunnybrook Tavern in Fort Washington, MD, when he was approached by someone he didn’t know. Dewitt said the man threw food in front of him at the bar and called him a racial insult.

“I was like, ‘Who are you talking to?’ like, ‘I’m talking to you.’ So we had a physical altercation, ”Dewitt said.

The man who approached Dewitt was Charles County MP Robert Smith, who was off duty, according to an arrest report obtained by News4.

The report says Smith placed his unfinished food in front of Dewitt, but does not confirm the alleged racist insult Dewitt says he made. The report describes an altercation and appears to describe Dewitt as the assailant.

Dewitt admits he stabbed Smith with a pocket knife he was carrying. He said it was in self-defense because he felt threatened and outnumbered.

“We started to fight. So his brother and his father came and it was like they were trying to jump on me. So at that moment when his brother pushed me against the wall, I ‘Reached my pocket, grabbed my knife and stabbed it, ”Dewitt said.

Surveillance video shows Smith then pulls out what the Charles County Sheriff’s Office says is his personal gun.

People inside the tavern take cover as Smith’s brother appears to calm him down. Some people called 911.

The Prince George County Police Department and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office issued press releases detailing the stabbing and arrest of Dewitt, but Dewitt’s attorney said they had omitted critical information.

“We really believe there were gaps and that is part of the reason Prince George County itself is a defendant in this lawsuit,” said attorney Brandon Burrell.

According to medical records obtained by Dewitt’s attorneys, Smith was drunk when he first approached Dewitt and drew his gun.

“He’s armed with a gun. He’s four times the legal driving limit.… He pulls out his gun in a crowded bar,” Burrell said.

In the police report, Prince George officers said Smith “had indicated his recollection was unclear due to the amount of alcohol he had consumed.”

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office statement on the incident mentioned that a deputy on leave would be investigated, but did not disclose Smith’s name and did not mention that he had drunk while handling a firearm, a violation of departmental policies.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said Smith was sanctioned but did not disclose details due to state personnel laws that protect officers.

Dewitt, meanwhile, spent 30 days in jail after being initially denied bail.

The Prince George County State Attorney’s Office confirms it did not prosecute Dewitt after reviewing the video and other evidence. His charges of assault and reckless endangerment were dropped. Dewitt says he’s still dealing with what happened in the tavern.

“I lost my job because of this situation. I mean, I lost all around the board,” Dewitt said.

News4’s request for an interview with Smith or his lawyer was denied.


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Bars

“The biggest problem” facing bars

by Richard Dement on


Colossal rent debts weigh heavily on the hotel industry’s neck. If the situation is not resolved, there could be far-reaching implications for future generations in the bar world, writes Amy Hopkins.

Without government intervention, rent debt could endanger 330,000 additional jobs in addition to those lost in 2020

* This feature was originally published in the June 2021 issue of Spirits trade. On June 16, 2021, the UK government announced a further nine-month extension of protection against commercial evictions

The devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic on the hospitality sector is confirmed by data from the UK Hospitality trade body: in a terrible year, 660,000 jobs were lost, sales of 86 billion pounds sterling (US $ 122.3 billion) have disappeared, and at least 12,000 companies have gone out of business for good.

One figure that continues to rise is the collective rent debt accumulated by the sector since the first nationwide foreclosure in March 2020. Currently, the debt stands at £ 2.5 billion, according to UK Hospitality, whose recent survey from members revealed that more than half are unable to pay their arrears.

At the start of the foreclosure, the UK government announced a moratorium on lapsing of leases to prevent landlords from evicting commercial tenants for non-payment of rent. The moratorium has been extended several times and is due to end on June 30, 2021.

Meanwhile, tenants and owners have been on their own when it comes to refunds. However, a large number of discussions ended in deadlock, with UK Hospitality estimating that 40% of business owners were unable to agree on a rental grant with their landlords.

“Some owners have taken a collaborative and supportive approach, but we have also seen a significant number of owners reject this approach and be tough and aggressive. Now is the time to fix this problem, ”said Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality.

Kate Nicholls, British hotel business

As such, the group is calling for “sustained and targeted intervention” by the UK government to help both sides reach a deal. “To date, the government’s strategy – to introduce and repeatedly expand a ban on coercive measures – has just advanced the problem,” adds Nicholls. UK Hospitality and other voices have warned that a ‘bloodbath’ of closures would be inevitable if the crisis is not resolved, putting 330,000 more jobs at risk.

Following the government’s call for evidence on commercial rent debts, UK Hospitality has submitted a number of proposals to protect the industry, all based on the premise that the financial burden caused by the pandemic should be equitably borne by owners and tenants.

More precisely, the group wishes to see: the existing protections extended and extended; at least 50% of the rent debts accumulated during amortized business closings, and at least 25% amortized for periods when businesses were operating under Covid-19 restrictions; and for owners and tenants to agree on reasonable repayment terms.

WAIT ON THE HOOKS

It is not yet clear whether lawmakers will heed the advice. In the meantime, business leaders are waiting on hot coals. The prospect of paying such high costs while continuing to operate under government-imposed restrictions has left many in a state of anxiety, frustration and disbelief. For some, any positive action will be too little, too late.

“I lost my whole business,” says Jonathan Downey, who opened London-based cocktail institution Milk & Honey almost two decades ago. In a heartbreaking move that reverberated throughout the industry, Downey closed the prestigious Soho bar last September after 18 years of operation. It has also closed its street restaurants Giant Robot, Dinerama, and Hawker House for good, while its Model Market business will remain afloat until the end of September.

“By then, I would have lost everything I have ever built in the hospitality industry,” says Downey, who blames rent debt for every shutdown, calling it “the biggest problem” the industry is facing. confronted.

Over the course of two decades, Downey has paid almost £ 4million (US $ 5.7million) in rent to the owner of Milk & Honey, “but they wouldn’t accept a pound of arrears being written off. ; nothing, ”he said.

Over the past year, Downey has transformed what started out as a WhatsApp group into a lobbying organization called Hospitality Union. Through this, he launched the #NationalTimeOut campaign, which calls on the government to legislate for a national rotating rent system, that is, zero rent for periods without rotation during the pandemic. “[The government needs] an extraordinary response to extraordinary circumstances, ”says Downey. “They have to be imaginative and creative, and they just didn’t do anything … and what they did, they did wrong.”

Downey believes that if homeowners aren’t forced by law to agree to significantly reduced terms, “they’re never going to make deals.” Thanks to Hospitality Union, Downey has heard many stories of callous behavior from owners, and even threats of violence. He hopes the new organization will provide a platform for small business owners who often lack the bargaining power and resources to join forces and influence positive change.

Peter Thornton, chief financial officer of London concert hall The Piano Works, calls on the UK government to adopt Australia’s rent relief model, which operates on a proportionality basis.

Similar to Downey’s rent-to-revenue proposal, this would mean that rent relief would be commensurate with the tenant’s reduction in business, with rent waivers accounting for at least 50% of the total rent reduction.

“Many business ventures are opening in an uncertain environment, which could prove difficult for cash flow, while also facing pressure from potential landlord action to pay off rent arrears,” says Thornton. “We are not asking for additional support from the government, but we are asking for a fair and binding solution to the rent problem that ensures that landlords and tenants work together … and share the burden of the pandemic, in which case the Australia’s rent relief model would be a strong and viable solution.

Meanwhile, in the United States, mass rent debt is also a constant concern for hospitality venues, and businesses must contend with a fragmented state-by-state approach.

“Rent debt, and the threat thereof, has forced the closure of thousands of bars, many of which are icons in their own communities,” said Aaron Gregory Smith, executive director of the United States Bartenders’ Guild.

Smith adds that while many states have anti-eviction orders for residential tenants, the same has not been true for business premises. As such, “many bars have had to find creative ways to make money to cover their rent obligation throughout the pandemic.”

DEEPEST IMPACT

It quickly becomes evident that the rent crisis is having an even deeper impact on the industry; Now that restrictions are easing in the US, UK and other markets, Smith notes that many companies face staff shortages after laying off or taking employees off to cover the costs of rent. “If rent relief had been an option, it’s entirely possible that everyone is now working with the best levels of staff,” he says.

Downey notes that in the future the industry could suffer from a lack of investment if potential business owners view hospitality venues as “risky” assets that “could be shut down at any time, without fail. of [their] clean. “In addition, rent debts and other challenges stemming from the pandemic have” deterred many people from working in the industry. [because] these jobs are not as secure as we once thought ”.

In the long run, Smith believes the current crisis could lead to a more equitable relationship between landlords and commercial tenants. “We hope that in the future, whether or not the rent debt problem is easily resolved, landlords will become much more empathetic partners with the businesses they rent.”


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