Katherine Iwinski aka Kate shines out as a true artist. Kate's bartending experience began in the lively halls of Take Flight Spirits and has been nothing short of amazing. But what distinguishes her is not simply her deft formulations or her ability to read a room—it is her relentless desire to create amazing experiences one cocktail at a time.

Kate, a southpaw with a passion for painting and drawing, may appear to be a strange choice for the bartending profession. However, it was her love of the culinary arts that sparked her interest. Kate's debut into mixology was inspired by the satisfaction she experienced in creating a dish and seeing how it made people happy. For her, bartending provided a similar canvas for experimentation as well as a platform to connect with people on a more personal level.

With years of experience, Kate understands the value of diversity and quality when selecting spirits for her bar. It is not just about stocking the shelves; it is about discovering secret gems that can improve any drinking experience, whether drank plain or mixed into a tasty cocktail.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Kate for our "Know Your Bartenders" series, during which she kindly offered her insights, stories, and advice to budding bartenders as well as companies. Explore the intriguing world of mixology through Kate's perspective by reading the entire interview.

Where do you work?

Take Flight Spirits (distillery)

Image: Take Flight Spirits

Tell us something about yourself.

I'm a southpaw & love painting and drawing.

What inspired you to get into bartending?

My first love was cooking. The creation of a dish and sharing it with others, seeing people's faces as they took that first bite, brought me unending joy. Bartending possesses a similar air of experimentation and love for people and their experiences, just on a smaller, faster scale.

What are some of the most important skills for a bartender to have?

The ability to quickly adapt to a situation and read a room, whether there's only one other person or 150+ people in there with you,. One can do their best to organize and plan things successfully, but in the end, it's how one can corral a situation that's not running smoothly into a success that matters.

What do you look for when you plan to buy spirits for your bar?

A spirit's versatility and consistent quality. If a spirit isn't outstandingly sipped neatly, it very likely won't perform well in a cocktail either. Alternately, if it can be used outside of a conventional cocktail context & has unique tasting notes, I likely can't find it elsewhere.

What support programs work best for you from suppliers?

Any that fosters collaboration between businesses, be it pricing, clear communication on an item's stock, or just being sure to share information on new products people are excited about & cocktail ideas for said products.

What cocktails and drinks trends do you see in 2024?

Moving away from the clear-cut redux of classics- think less 90's cocktail "makeovers" & a move towards a more abstract interpretation of the drinking experience and drumming up feelings for nostalgia. Instead of asking what someone would drink on a summer night, think about how a drink can be made to taste like a summer night.

What's the best part of your job?

The ability to use my creativity to craft experiences for others every day!

What are your favorite TV shows right now? Or your favorite movie?

Netflix's "Midnight Diner" - it's like watching a love letter to the service industry.

If you had to pick one spirit as your personal best which would it be and why?

I don't want to pick, but Rum. Its history, variety, and ability to shine or support in a cocktail are unmatched.

How are you marketing your bar to drive foot traffic?

unconventional programming that centers on and opens the conversation, like craft + cocktail classes.

Any tips for bartenders on how to upsell or cross-sell?

Get to know your customer's tastes & don't be afraid to offer something new you think someone might like. Rather than trying to directly expand a bill, first try and think of ways to expand palates.

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What is an experience or a customer story you thought was funny and that you remember?

My bar doesn't show sports, and only recently got a TV. I had 2 customers come in once, looking around for a TV to watch that evening's football game. After they ordered, they asked me what they were supposed to do without a television told them to talk to each other. They sat at a table, and hearing how their conversation shifted from disappointment after missing the football game to how much they were enjoying a great cocktail & each other's company made my night, and now they regularly come in to hang out.

Tips for brands looking to pitch to bars? What should they cover in their pitch? What you do not need to know? Give us the best elevator pitch brands can do for you.

Personally, when I listen to a pitch, I am looking for a brand's excitement over a new product, not its potential to replace or stand in for something else. I'd prefer to hear what makes a product different from what I already have & new possibilities for its uses that a brand wants to share.

Define a good Bartender according to you.

A good bartender is malleable & understands every day is a learning opportunity everything from the perspective of a student, as there's no end to the knowledge that can be gained in an industry that's changing faster than ever.

What's an ideal bar drinks menu? what should it include, and what profit metric should it try and achieve?

An ideal menu should offer a great variety. Not getting stuck on any spirit in particular, but still suiting a particular set of flavor profiles-sales shouldn't be stuck on one offer, be it a single spirit or cocktail style. Something for someone should be something for everyone- Finding that sweet spot allowing for exploration without missing out on existing interests is key.