Pre-camp Coordination 2018

ORDbar: the Manhattan

At past ORDcamps we (Scott Robbin and Andrew Huff) have led a conversation about spirits, followed by a tasting, at the end of Saturday’s sessions as things start to switch toward socializing. We’ve covered a wide variety of spirits, from bourbon to gin to rum, as well as aspects of the distillation process and even put together an Old Fashioned lab. This year, we’re planning another session exploring a cocktail.

Scott and I will be talking about the Manhattan and its versatility as a template for other cocktails in a session Saturday evening. We’ll then leave everything out so that folks who imbibe may do so — but we’d also like to make the Saturday night “ORDbar” more akin to the chocolate table in terms of collaboration.

If you are able and so inclined, bring something you’d like to share with the crowd — your favorite bourbon, an interesting liqueur, artisanal Malört, whatever you think folks would be interested in. We’ll supply some mixers, cups and equipment to make cocktail creation possible. If you’re flying in and don’t want to stow a bottle in your checked bag, we’re happy to make a liquor store run and you can pay us back. We also appreciate any donations to help fund the fun; you can paypal Andrew at ah@gapersblock.com.

Chocolate Table

I’m going to organize the Chocolate Table again and I need your help!

If you are attending, please bring 2-3 bars of high quality chocolate with you!

Everyone should bring their chocolate bars along on Friday afternoon, so we can deposit them on the Chocolate Table and share them. During the event I will play the Chocolate Sommelier and try and keep the table organized and help direct people to some chocolate that they might like. I’m even considering holding tasting breaks where I can talk about what chocolate we have, answer as many questions as I can and encourage people to try new varieties.

There are some very simple rules for the Chocolate Table:

• Do you see some chocolate that you’d like to try? Try it! Don’t hesitate and just go for it.
• Please see if some of the same chocolate is already open before opening a new pack of the same kind.
• Do you see one lonely piece of chocolate that people are too polite to eat? It is your duty to finish it! Eat it!
• If you have food allergies, be careful to read the ingredients before you eat. There will be a pile of german chocolate and if you need help translating, please ask me!

I would love for everyone to participate in making the Chocolate Table awesome. Between now and the event, please keep your eyes peeled for really nice, possibly esoteric/artesianal/off the beaten path chocolate and then buy some. Bring 1 or bring a ton. Bring simple milk chocolate. Bring extravagant dark chocolate. If you come across bizarre chocolates, bring them! I’ve seen chocolate with fish, cheese, licorice — this year there will be one bar with mealworms and some with booze and overall a nice blend between milk and dark chocolates.

I usually travel before ORD camp and keep my eyes open for interesting chocolate — this year is no different. However, I also just placed an order for a large variety of chocolate bars and I’ll likely end up paying for another piece of luggage for them to appear in Chicago. 

Questions? Hit me! @mayhemBCN rob@mayhem.cat