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All the way from California, we’d like to welcome our next guest, Alison Kwan. We’d like to claim her as one of our own, having worked & competed in the Auckland bartending scene. Some of you may recognise her from places like Mea Culpa, Racket and 1885.

Since then, she's worked her way through the competitive bar scene in San Francisco, landing jobs at Lazy Bear, a two-Michelin starred restaurant, Nomica, award-winning cocktail bar True Laurel, Moongate Lounge, and world-renown Hakkasan. In late 2019, she left her jobs to begin Viridian in Oakland with her business partners, one of whom is her boyfriend and partner in life. In February 2020, the doors were opened with grand ceremony, and within three months, Tales of the Cocktail recognized Viridian as a Spirited Awards Honoree for Best New American Cocktail Bar (West Coast). Alison is currently General Manager of Viridian and is also the co-author of Viridian: Behind the Cocktail.

Topics: Alison’s first foray into hospitality (3:33) When hospo became a career (4:45) Proudest career moment (7:47) How did you end up in NZ (10:00) How are things in the states right now (12:50) What’s it like owning a venue in the US (17:27) Viridian (21:41) Asian American heritage & inspiration (25:00) Why Oakland? (26:33) Doing business with your significant other (29:05) American bartending style vs. New Zealand (31:20) History and influence of the Bay Area (36:50) Support & fundraising within the industry (40:15) Staying afloat (43:33) Perspective & real talk on career challenges (46:27) Advice for owners and managers on navigating today’s challenges (48:40) Hobbies & taking the silver linings (50:28) Last words for the NZ hospo family (53:18)