Melbourne’s COVID-19 Employee Assistance Directive, which provides free pre-packaged meals to unemployed hospitality workers, has received a Philanthropy Recognition at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards.
The final round of winners at the 14th Spirited Awards were announced at the end of last week, after the first round of winners had been revealed earlier.
The award categories celebrate bartenders, brands and ambassadors to journalists and media to ensure each aspect of the industry is well represented and recognised for their contributions.
The COVID-19 EAD was created following the collapse of the hospitality industry after the extended lockdown in Victoria. Volunteers cook, pack and deliver thousands of pre-packaged meals every week.
The initiative was started by bar owners Jason Chan and Henry Le along with private chef Jez Berwick. What started as plan to keep their staff who had been stood down fed, quickly became an outreach program with the mission of the raising spirits of as many unemployed hospitality professionals as they could afford to feed.
You can support the COVID-19 EAD through its Go Fund Me page.
The other Spirited Award winners are:
Philanthropy Recognitions presented by Santa Teresa 1796 Rum
- Hope & Sesame — Guangzhou, China
- Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation — New York, NY
- COVID19 Employee Assistance Directive — Melbourne, Australia
Best American Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts
- Don Lee
American Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard
- Kevin Diedrich — Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Alex Kratena
International Bartender of the Year presented by Martini & Rossi
- Kelsey Ramage — Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada
Pioneer Award presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Shannon Mustipher
Timeless American presented by Q Mixers
- Angel’s Share — New York, NY
Timeless International presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Boadas Cocktails — Barcelona, Spain
Helen David Lifetime Achievement presented by William Grant & Sons
- Audrey Saunders
Dame Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees – American Inductee
- Tiffanie Barriere
International Inductee
- Tess Posthumus
Caroline Rosen, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation President said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners.
“In a year that has caused us to all contemplate so much, there is no question that these individuals and establishments are worthy of celebration on a global stage. Their contributions are advancing this industry forward at a much needed time for change and we are honored to have the opportunity to recognise them.”
You can support the COVID-19 EAD through its Go Fund Me page.