Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffanie Barriere.
Tiffanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started as the typical “I’m not sure what I’m doing so I’ll bartend until I figure it out” in the early 2000 at Longhorn Steakhouse. Being able to be myself along with serving the founder of Longhorn every Friday kept me excited to make smiles and learn what to do with Angostura Bitters. I moved up the ladder quick because I liked people they said and I fell in love with the industry then because I could make a living making people happy thru a cocktail.
I had no idea the food and beverage industry could go beyond casual dinning until I met the creative team behind One Flew South, Duane Nutter, Todd Richards and Jerry Slayter in 2008. Working with this team grew my creativity, palate, focus and confidence on what I truly loved and that was cocktails and the history behind and in front of them. In 2015, Tales of the Cocktail profiled five black female bartenders influencing the Atlanta drinking cocktail scene, and I was one of the chosen mixologists and my name quickly changed from Tiffanie to The Drinking Coach because I served all cocktails with a history sidebar. I joined any collaboration involving food and beverage ranging from Southern Foodways Alliance, Atlanta Food and Wine Advisory Board, United States Bartenders Guild and many more just to have a chance to learn more and also have a platform to share my voice on history and cocktail movements. After seven years at One Flew South and 2 major accolades, Best Cocktail Bar to Travel in in the World and James Beard nominee for best service, I thought I’d try to see what else could help me grow. I stepped into the world of brand ambassador-ship with Avion Tequlia and helped the brand get into the hands of some of the cities most influential bartenders and events. After learning the marketing and sales side of the industry, I leaped into my faith and decided to create my own label and stamp.
“Freelance” came into play when brands, bars, bartenders, companies and even stay at home moms ask if I could help them drink better. Indeed, all yes’s across the board and I started sharing my love for a good cocktail everywhere requested. I opted to create cocktail menus for pop-up dinners and host mixology lessons, with my own unique touch and silly jokes. I teamed up with executive chefs Jennifer Hill Booker and Deborah VanTrece due to a incredible article written by Mashaun Simon of NBC-BLK where he highlighted us because we were just a few African American females showcased at Atlanta Food & Wine. We became close quickly and came to produce Cast Iron Chronicles, a series of dinner and conversations highlighting the work of African American women in the culinary industry. We also have the pleasure to serve a immaculate dinner at the James Beard House in New York City February 21.
I have collaborated and created with all the women in the 2015 article from Tales of the Cocktail and started a agency called Drinking with the Girls. Our mission is to elevate, encourage, train and educate bartenders and brands who need a sassy boost of presents to their style and or product.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been and it’s like a movie, I don’t know if it’s a comedy, drama or tragedy. Lots of highs and lows and I have appreciated every day of it. I don’t call them struggles, I just call them commercials.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Drinking Coach – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Proud moments of The Drinking Coach is being a respected female in the industry and my whole squad/tribe and friends are just the same. Respected women of color. 🙂
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity and confidence of style. Whether you have millions of money or under a hundred, Atlanta welcomes you in everything from shows, stores, restaurants or an office without feeling like you don’t belong.
I dislike that Atlanta doesn’t have a large body of water.
Contact Info:
- Website: thedrinkingcoach.com
- Phone: 404-468-0308
- Email: thedrinkingcoach@gmail.com or tiffaniebarriere@gmail.com
- Instagram: thedrinkingcoah on IG
- Facebook: Tiffanie Barriere’
Image Credit:
Keyatta Mincey, Tokiwa Sears, Kysha Cyrus, Sadiyyah Iddeen, Thandi Walton, Shannon Evans
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
