An Open Letter to Kazuo Uyeda

Dear Mr. Uyeda:

Thank you for spending the two days you took away from your bar with us. The opportunity to share your fascinating take on the industry we all love so well is something I will always treasure. I’m fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to document this event and will be able to keep and share those lessons with my peers here in the states.

Thank you for teaching us all lessons past technique- lessons in humility, respect, and service. Lessons that someone like me (a non-bartender) can take home and use (although, I am tempted to practice the hard shake as well).

Thank you also for bringing us all to New York. You gave the US bartending community an excuse to spend two full days together- learning, drinking, sharing ideas. Seeing all of those talented people sitting in rapt attention proves what we’ve all known for a while: bartending is more than a job, it’s a career, a profession, a craft. A craft you have perfected in Japan.

And finally, thank you for the beautiful cocktail you served me. It was delicate, balanced, and absolutely charming.

I look forward to one day visiting your bar,
Lindsey

Note: Mr. Uyeda is a world renowned bartender from Japan who is credited with perfecting the hard shake technique. You can read more about him here.