Elba S. Giron

What can I say…have to follow suit! This year has certainly been quite a roller coaster! Great experiences that have taught me so much and great people that I have met along the way! I had the chance of a lifetime to learn techniques from my mentor…Tony Abou-Ganim. I went out to Mexico City to work with Junior Merino and The Liquid Chef. OH man….who can forget my trip to New Orleans! I met with Mindy Kucan, a great mixologist from Austin and I got to partner with Tad Carducci for the Ultimate Bloody Mary Challenge … and our Asia & Beyond Bloody Mary won for the New York Title. Even better…I had the chance to debut my other talent…photography. I met Jennifer Mitchell through Ann Tuenerman who paired us up to capture the highlights of Tales of the Cocktail 2008.

Most definitely…Partida, Shawn Soole of The Liquid Revolution and Chilled Magazine, and many others gave me so much support! I also got to work with 3 of the strongest people in this industry. Willy Shine, Aisha Sharpe, and Kris Carr of Contemporary Cocktails, inc. I had the ultimate chance to open up one of the largest restaurants in New York City and better yet…I was paired up with Justin Noel to manage a great bar staff and implement a great beverage program! To wrap of the holiday season, I celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Repeal Day in Washington, D.C. with many of my great friends, Derek Brown, Chantal Tsang, Gina Chersevani, Todd Thrasher, and many more. They have certainly revolutionized the cocktail industry in the nation’s capital!

I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings!!!

And I can’t leave you out!! I had the ultimate opportunity to work with an amazing graphic designer and animator. Angel Arroyo…thank you for your support and encouragement to pursue my talents! Please check out his site Seven350.

haha….geez…sounds like a speech for some type of award…lol…I just have to say bigups to my family for pushing me to always be better!!

I was truly blessed this year and am optimistic through all the challenges that came in 2008…2009 will bring yet more blessings!

WOW!!! What an honor! Justin Noel and I were asked to create signature cocktails that were paired with a 3-course dinner at a beautiful NYC restaurant. Cocktails like Luzon Sour, Winter Island, Jayakarta were a phenomenal hit! Willy Shine, Aisha Sharpe, Kris Carr, Junior Merino, Gardner Dunn, Naren Young, Dalio Calado came out to support our efforts. Check out the gallery for more images!

I have to share with you all!!! I am working with Angel Arroyo, a great Graphic Designer and Animator, who’s helped launch my website and currently working on a full brand campaign for me.

Please check out www.seven350.com and feel free to reach out to him!!

These are some of the images that sparked my fascination in his work and talents!

I have just been officially blessed with the opportunity to be a free agent. I’m going to use my time wisely and focus on my cocktail recipes, competitions and most importantly my photography. More to come! Cheers…

What a great write up! I am so humbled and so excited that Shawn Soole wrote such a great article for Chilled Magazine for their Advance Mixology section, with me as the featured Mixologist! Word!!!