Q & A with World Renowned mixologist and Diageo Brand Ambassador – Tim Judge

The Media Immersion Mixology Contest in Nairobi this Tuesday (May 6) offered a sneak peek into the art of mixing drinks. Tim Judge, top mixologist, is currently in the country training and transferring skills to over 40 budding mixologists at the Diageo Bar Academy.

As world-class mixologist Tim Judge walked into the room, the receptive atmosphere was welcoming with smiles and greets and a fair amount of giggling. The event was set at the Cin Cin bar which is situated at the Norfolk, Fairmount Hotel.

Tim Judge, dressed in a classy three-piece suit, charmed the audience with his introduction to the life of a professional mixologist and enlightened the crowd with his great sense of humor. It was a simple and fun night which contained and array of the world’s finest scotch, vodka, gin, rum and tequila. But not only that, at the end of it all, we all actually gained some basic skills in making quick, easy and tasty cocktails.

We caught up with the talented Mr. Judge for this UP exclusive after the Contest.

How did you get started in the bar business?
Back in 2005 I was managing a little beach Cafe in Cornwall, England serving supplier-made drinks and wrote my first cocktail list as a simple summer promotion. Whilst writing and researching the list, the more I read the more I fell in love with the stories, history and creative artistry of cocktails and the bartenders that made them. Upon the life changing event of the death of my mother at Christmas that year, I decided to chase my dreams. By the end of the month I had quit my job, packed my bags and headed to New Zealand to begin a career as a professional bartender.

What do you do differently from most other bartenders?
Globally, I just do the things that most of the people that inspire me do. I just apply the same dedication, passion and love for the job, just as dedicated career bartenders all of the world do. That is what makes bartending not just a job but a lifestyle.

Tell us something about you that most people don’t know about?
I write a cocktail blog called Ginger Bitters focusing on my experiences behind the bar, beverages and life in India, New Zealand and Africa. Also I’m a big lover of travelling and I’m doing my dream job , I love what I do and I know wherever my mum is, she’s smiling down on me because she knows I made her proud.

Catch Tim Judge at Mercury Lounge, ABC Place this Saturday (May 10), mixing your favorite drinks.

By Michael Nzambu