Biography

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Biography-

World reknowned mixologist Brian Van Flandern was professional bartender in New York City for over 18 years. In 2004 he opened Chef Thomas Keller’s Michelin three star (NY TIMES four star) restaurant PER SE as the head mixologist. Applying Chef Keller’s philosophy of flavor profiling to cocktails Brian Van Flandern created dozens of well-balanced food friendly cocktails. Inspired by Francesco LaFranconi and working side by side with master sommelier Paul Roberts, his recreation of the classic Gin and Tonic (he makes his own tonic water with quinine powder imported from Brazil) has garnered national attention.

Per Se provided Brian with the fundamental tools to open CREATIVE COCKTAIL CONSULTANTS, a consulting firm dedicated to creating cutting edge cocktails lists and training professional bartenders in the art of mixology. Mr. Van Flandern has designed cocktail lists for the finest restaurants and resorts. His unique recipes are served in every major port of call in the world.

His cocktails have been mentioned or featured in THE NEW YORK TIMES, GOURMET MAGAZINE, THE WASHINGTON POST, TIME OUT NY, NEW YORK MAGAZINE and FAST COMPANY. The THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and FOOD ARTS MAGAZINE have written feature articles on Mr. Van Flandern and CHEERS MAGAZINE listed Brian as one of America’s Ten ‘Top Shelf Bartenders’.

2006 was the 200th anniversary of the cocktail. In response, BOLS Liqueurs of Amsterdam held the BOLS 200 Masters International Championship where Brian was ranked the number two bartender in the world. Additionally, Mr. Van Flandern is a graduate of the first B.A.R. (beverage alcohol research) class run by spirit experts Paul Pacult, Dave Wondrich, Steve Olsen, Doug Frost and Dale DeGroff. Brian’s expansive knowledge of spirits and cocktail history combined with his experience at PER SE allow him to lecture as an expert in fine dining beverage standards.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

♦ Author of Book VINTAGE COCKTAILS by ASSOULINE PUBLISHING 2009

♦ Named Global Ambassador to Tequila Don Julio 2008

♦ Ranked one of the top ten Hotel Bartenders in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine in 2008

♦ Ranked one of the top ten bartenders in the world by Tanqueray Ten in 2008

♦ Ranked #1 in United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) IRON BAR CHEF COMPETITION 2007

♦ Ranked #2 in the World - Bols 200 International Master Mixology Competition 2006

♦ Ranked #2 in first annual National Sherry Cocktail Competition
2006

♦ CHEERS Magazine top ten- TOP SHELF BARTENDERS in AMERICA 2006
♦ Founded CREATIVE COCKTAIL CONSULTANTS
♦ Michelin Three Star, NY Times Four Star, Mobile Five Star Experience

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Corporate Consulting Mixologist
Bemelmans Bar at the CARLYLE Hotel, NYC
● Designed Cocktail List
● Lectured

Beverage Consultant/Lecturer PRESENT
New York, San Francisco, London, Amsterdam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dozens of other cites throughout the world
● Lectured to small groups on the history of spirits and cocktail building
● Created customized cocktail lists to meet the demands of clients
● Developed methodology to consistently create balanced cocktails

Head Bartender/Consultant PRESENT
PER SE (Chef Thomas Keller and Chef Johnathan Benno)
New York, NY
● Michelin 3 star, Mobile 5 star, NY TIMES 4 Star, Zaggat Rateing of 29-29-29
for food, service and decor.
● Created world class cocktails (featured in NY TIMES 4-Star review)
● Detail oriented training of new bar staff
● Comprehensive worldwide wine knowledge

Bartender 05/03-12/03
ILO (Chef Rick Laakkonen)
New York, NY
● Three star dining experience
● Created seasonal drink list
● Proper wine pouring technique

Bartender 04/02-05/03
ESCA (Chef Mario Batali and Chef David Pasternack)
New York, NY

Education
● B.A. Degree from State University of New York, NYC

30 Lincoln Plaza, Suite 10W
NYC, NY 10023
(212) 459-1717; BrianNYC@AOL.COM

Creative Cocktail Consultants Corporation

Beverage Consultant, Designer Cocktails & Educator on Spirits, Cocktails & Fine Dining Beverage Standards