What inspired you to develop the temperance cocktail program?
I was paying attention to a burgeoning trend. Guests were asking what virgin cocktails we could do, and although we we're weren't offering any at the time, we had the resources and ingredients to make some really delicious non-alcoholic cocktails. Me and the bar team noticed a big hole in our programming and I was inspired by the challenge to fulfill it.

What's your process when creating cocktails?
My process is to always think about the celebration, relaxation and socialization that is involved in the consumption of cocktails and try to apply that to a non-alcoholic beverage. To also consider many palates, seasons, fresh ingredients and aestetic.

What is different about creating a temperance cocktail vs an alcoholic cocktail?
The real difference and what I consider a challenge is volume. Until Seedlip, a non-alcoholic distillate, came to the market there was a real issue of applying volume without adding too much sugar or juice but to really round out the cocktail with unique flavours and textures while still offering the guest something that was going to be worth their hard earned dollars. The goal is always to create an inclusive experience.

Do you have any tips for anyone making awesome temperance cocktails at home?
To anyone making temperance cocktails at home I say to always use fresh ingredients. Pick fruits and veggies that are in season and let that be your inspiration. The amount of quality non-alcoholic products that are available now from Seedlip to de-alcohlized wine to sparkling cider, it's a good time to get creative and excite these options with your favour flavours.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Pineapple on pizza is essential right alongside jalapenos. Spicy/sweet!

In January, we gathered all Drakers at the hotel for our Hollywood-themed staff party, and it was definitely one for the books. We're rolling out the red carpet for Bill Simpson, who lets us in on his experience at the event. 

Bill: Staff Party, such a BLAST– all you special Drake people dressed to the nines, a poem that didn’t rhyme (see poem below), UNBELIEVABLE singing talent for Live Band Karaoke (that was the best time and the Underground sounds better than evah), spectacular food + drink by our favourite Drake and Industry Alum, and such a loving feeling in the room… To all of you who attended, it was the best party yet and it is such a pleasure to celebrate you guys for all that you do, every day in making this such a magnificent place to work! CONGRATS to the party crew who put on such a really well-oiled, Hollywood type event – a great prelude to our 15-year Anniversary celebrations we had this month. Don’t forget to look up at the crane, and make sure to check out Dayna, Kathy and Ana Y as they launch their 2nd careers- Karaoke callings.) XO Bill Simpson

Welcomes:
• Laura Cunnigham- Social Sales Manager, Drake Corporate
• Michael Arokium- Sous Chef, Drake Commissary

February Birthdays:
• Gracie Reesor
• Phillip Doan
• Sema Parwana
• Samantha Schramm
• Jeffrey Yap
• Jonas Grupilijonas
• Marty Demensa
• Olivia Collict
• Kirk Gerrior
• Ross Maracle
• Noah Giffin
• Vanessa Poitti
• Randy Mendes Sousa
• Zachary Albertsen
• Sarah Jenkinson
• Avery Ross
• Dana McNeill
• Maghnus Sullivan-Lopez
• Marie Gabino
• Tyler Weston
• Matthew Edward
• Svetomir Catic
• Shemar Lee
• Adrianne Chan
• Emily Kindred
• Faegen Greenwood
• Neil Silcox
• Darnell Lockhart

March Birthdays:
• Dave Elliott
• Denise Carter
• Sorcha Dunne
• Kathy Grant
• Tyler Longshaw
• Mary Georgiou
• Paulina Gusciora
• James Sagun
• Ariana Edmond
• Matt Fairbanks
• Scott Walling
• Tyler Knox
• Stephen McCance
• Trevor Beausoleil
• Evangelia McDonald
• Meriel Taylor
• Nicholas Cumming
• Cheynelle Fraser
• Alison Watson
• Sherrie Anderson
• Chenee Faye Villacorta
• Maiya Griffith
• Austin Beaver
• Gord Hannah
• Kolby Zinger-Harris
• Mathew Petrus
• Daris Simic
• Kirk Dunn
• Alexander Moore
• Victoria Hevesi
• Christopher Villaneva
• Lauren Davis
• Ashley Kernohan

April Birthdays:
• Cassandra Reid
• Andy Sennin
• Monica Zhang
• Judy Yan
• Aaron Grant
• Hannah Factor
• Gregory Garner
• John-Norman White
• Ian Sinclair
• Aaron Ward
• James Sarafinchan
• Simone Davis
• Colton Kotanko
• Tim Steele
• Ayub Ahmed
• Lucas Mullins
• James Rogers
• Allen Steinberg
• Christin Dickenson
• Daina McMurray
• Stephanie Dixon
• Courtney Genereaux
• Kelley Sommerville
• Devon Spence
• David Lin
• Adrian Rebucas
• Brittany Brennan
• Cody Ray Michie
• Jean-Paul Parker
• John McNeill
• Justin Otto
• Maxine Gagnon
• Salma Liban
• Sandy De Almeida
• Virna Kim
• William Hollingdale
• Zanobia Francois
• Matthew Mayo
• Jason Gaignard
• Zara Jestadt
• Melissa Murphy
• Hing Jean Chan
• Jian Zhang Cao
• Liqing Hu
• Stephen Mielewczyk
• Surendran Kilanthaivadive
• Ali Johnson
• James Leberg
• Jeremy Cheng
• Paige Preston

Milestones:

16 year:
• Bill Simpson

14 year:
• Tyler Longshaw

12 year:
• Aaron Grant

6 year:
• Ted Corrado
• Salina Stange
• Matthew Hekseth
• Kate Boles
• Jonathan Pong

5 year:
• Alexandra Feswick
• Laela O'Kelly
• Joran Gray

2 year:
• Andy Sennin
• Hannah Factor
• Tim Steele
• Vincent Palmateer
• Daniel Dooley
• Andree-Anne Lorrain
• Andrew Turton
• Justin-Nicholas Davis
• Ahmad Taib
• William French
• Kailey Derubeis
• Stephen Mielewczyk
• Jessica Stroebel
• Maxwell McWhinnie

1 year:
• John Granger
• Benjamin Ehrensberger
• Dayna Goldhar
• Holly Timpener
• Brianna Gare
• Caroline Bernard
• Jordan Ross
• Matt Pfaff
• Catherine Ferguson
• Graeme Humphrey
• Valentine Kwaghtsule
• Meaghan Stoeckle
• Emilie Richardson-Dupuis
• Tyrel Olton
• Nareshkumar Somasuntharam
• Richard Green
• Adam Miller
• Travis Cropley
• Celeste Ego
• Alicia Robbins
• Anna Cunha
• Morgan Anderson
• Diana McMurray
• Kasia Dziemidok-Michalski
• Zachary Albertsen
• Ana Alic
• Michael Niedra
• Marcel Woodcox
• Brandon Sardelis
• Zoe Rivard-Aslin
• Maxwell Naiman
• Bradley Morgan
• Macgregor Stanfield
• Trevor Beausoleil

ICYMI, the Drake Hotel turned 15 YEARS OLD last month (!!!) and we celebrated by throwing the biggest + best party with all of Toronto's finest. 

And now, a poem by Bill Simpson:
Born out of love and luck and lust and brick-by-brick, reckless abandon + whimsy,
Creatively defying convention, but defining a new era of social intervention, cultural juxtaposition and eyebrow raising, roof raising Hospitality!

Way beyond bringing together a community,

Far outreaching the boundaries of an urban neighbourhood - to a global stage, unprecedented, unthinkable, unimaginable…

From a former desolate corner that hid and harnessed so much potential,

Busting out to transcend One Man’s vision, not just TO CREATE…

But to give life and meaning and freedom and social power to so many people, to a new World (in a new Way.)

To come together as we all have, from many worlds and different tribes,

To work, to play, to fall, in love perchance?

Or, to make Art in all it’s forms and to question its role?

But more to dream of a hyper-fluid way to collaborate, to cooperate, to challenge each other, to engage people, to show them a heightened level of sight and sound and taste and sense of being beyond, what they feel, what they ever imagined in a Hotel?

In a City defiantly growing up and out towards its own hidden potential,

Toronto colliding.

With pundits and purists and populists who scoffed at our ways, questioned our motives, yet secretly pined and yearned for inclusion in our divine social experiment.

5475 days of JOY and growth and scant pain and lament for what stood once on a Corner, for what stands today, A Beacon, A Light.

Happy, Happy Birthday to all Drakesters and Drakettes. ONLY with you and by you and for you, have we become.

For being in the right place at the right time, I applaud your remarkable insight!

Keep on keepin’ on…

Truly, madly deeply IN LOVE…with Drake, the Mothership.

SIMPSON X(OH!)

A friendly reminder:
As a token of appreciation for thinking of us and recommending hospitality professionals to join the family, we reward staff with a referral bonus for every successful referral. A successful referral means that they have passed their probationary period and are in good standings. You and your referral must both be active during the bonus payout. Hourly referrals are worth $300 and salaried referrals are worth $1000.

Updated Drake Perks:
All active Drake staff are encouraged to experience our exceptional food + beverage offerings, not only to reward yourself for your contributions to The Drake and to also ensure that you can speak to our guests about our changing + evolving dining options throughout the year. Check out the Full Updated 2019 Drake Perks Policy on ScheduleFly.

But while we have you, we wanted to highlight a few new or favourite perks you should check out: We are grateful to have such amazing neighbours + community that have extended discounts to our employees! Please remember that you are a guest, representing the Drake and an ambassador when visiting.

- Civello Salon + Spa: Staff are offered 25% off all salon + spa services at Civello! Bring in your paystub or business card to prove employment. - -- Gravity Pope: Employee discount with valid employee discount cards (*check employee discount card expiry date). Discount applies to Black Non-Slip shoes as part of the Uniform look. Discount until FEB 28, 2019

- KOTN (Queen West): 10% to all Drake Employees on all regular KOTN product – Employees must show some sort of proof they work with at the Drake (email, business card, pay stub etc.) *SERVER, BARTENDER + HOST DRESS 25% off on all staff uniforms (specific list of products ONLY).

- Still on that "no new resolutions it’s a wellness all year thing"? Us too! To promote wellness, Drake staff receives a reduced rate, perks + free classes: - Float Toronto: Try your first Float for Free! Bring your Paystub!

- 6Cycle (Queen West): 1 free Spin class a week. Please reach out to Madeleine, madleine@thedrake.ca to have you employee profile set up. 10% Discount on classes/passes/membership

- *NEW* Big Hit Kickboxing Studio (Sudbury & Parklawn + Any other Location): The perk is 20% off all regular priced drop in classes as well as any of the other regular priced offerings/packages. The $59.99 in a promo they have for everyone. No corp discount for the promo. But yes it includes 2 wks unlimited, free boxing gloves + bag and hand wraps.

- Corporate Goodlife Membership: $499 Annually or $24 Bi-Weekly gets you the All-Club Access Membership with Towel Service included to all Goodlife gyms in Canada.

OH NO!

- 99 Sudbury Gym: DISCONTINUED
- Australian Boot Company: DISCONTINUED

Every year, the Ontario Hostelry Institute celebrates 30 of the best +  brightest up and coming stars in the world of hospitality with their list of Top 30 Under 30, and this year we have not one but TWO Drakers being celebrated!

A huge congratulations to Wesley Bernard (Executive Sous Chef) and Marty Demesa (Food and Beverage Manager), both from Drake Commissary. We are thrilled to see some of our own recognized as leaders in our industry.

You can see the full list of recipients here: https://ontarioculinary.com/meet-ontarios-top-30-under-30-in-hospitality/