Tales of the Cocktail

Tales of the Cocktail (sometimes shortened to Tales or TotC) is an annual trade conference, festival, and gathering of cocktail and spirits industry professionals in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference was founded in 2002 by cocktail enthusiast Ann Tuennerman,[1] and as of 2016 hosts between 15,000 and 17,000 ticketed attendants.[2]

Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail attendants in front of the Hotel Monteleone.
StatusActive
GenreCocktails
VenueHotel Monteleone
Location(s)New Orleans, Louisiana
CountryUnited States
InauguratedSeptember 2003 (2003-09)
Organized byNew Orleans Culinary & Cultural Preservation Society
Websitetalesofthecocktail.org//

History

Tales of the Cocktail began in 2002 as the New Orleans Original Cocktail Tour, a walking tour of historic New Orleans bars hosted by local cocktail aficionado Ann Tuennerman (née Rogers). In September 2003, Tuennerman celebrated the first anniversary of the tour by hosting Tales of the Cocktail, a small gathering of cocktail enthusiasts and industry professionals that included legendary bartender and writer Dale DeGroff.[1]

After a hiatus following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Tales of the Cocktail returned to New Orleans in 2006 and resumed operation. The event was moved up to July to avoid overlapping with the anniversary of the hurricane, and has taken place in the summer ever since.[3]

Ann Tuennerman retired from Tales of the Cocktail on September 25, 2017. Mrs. Tuennerman informed the diversity council that her husband Paul Tuennerman would be returning to work at Tales. Several members of the council resigned in protest at not being included in the decision. Mrs. Tuennerman resigned soon thereafter.[4]

In February, 2018 the Solomon Family and Neal Bodenheimer purchased the trademarks for Tales of the Cocktail, Ann and Paul Tuennerman completely divested from the trademarks and all business associated with Tales of the Cocktail. Additionally, there was a complete overhaul of the Board of Directors for the non-profit called New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society. The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation was officially formalized under new leadership, with a mission to educate, advance, and support our industry, on February 15, 2018.[5]

Location

Tales of the Cocktail is primarily hosted at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans’ French Quarter, but many events take place at other nearby bars, hotels, and event venues.[6][7]

In November 2018, Tales of the Cocktail announced a new brick and mortar location in downtown New Orleans. The venue will serve as both an event space and full service cocktail bar. [8]

Spirited Awards

In 2007, Tales of the Cocktail launched the Spirited Awards, an annual awards ceremony honoring bars, bartenders, and other industry professionals from around the world. Some of the top awards include American and International categories of Best Cocktail Bar, Bartender of the Year, Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication, World’s Best Cocktail Menu, and numerous others.[9] It is regarded by many as the most prestigious awards ceremony in the cocktail and spirits industry.[3]

International Events

In 2011, Tales of the Cocktail launched their international event Tales of the Cocktail on Tour (sometimes shortened to Tales on Tour) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The event has since taken place annually in various cities, including Buenos Aires, Argentina and Mexico City, Mexico. In 2017, Tales of the Cocktail on Tour was slated to take place in Edinburgh, Scotland.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Ann Tuennerman". Difford's Guide. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  2. "How Tales of the Cocktail helps New Orleanians have a good time". nola.com. 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  3. "Tales of the Cocktail: Why You Should Care (and Attend)". Bevvy. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  4. "At Tales of the Cocktail, the Founder Steps Down". New York Times. 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  5. By, IAN MCNULTY |. "Tales of the Cocktail, once on the rocks, finds new leaders, new calling as nonprofit". The Advocate. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
  6. "Guide to eating, drinking events at Tales of the Cocktail 2016". nola.com. 2016-07-11. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  7. "Highlights from Tales of the Cocktail 2016". Cocktail Enthusiast. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
  8. "Tales Goes Brick n' Mortar". Neat Pour. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  9. "Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards winners since 2007". Difford's Guide. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
  10. "Tales on Tour Heads to Edinburgh". The Spirits Business. 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
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