REINVENTING the Cocktail About Derek Derek M. Brown is a beverage expert whose passion for cocktails, spirits, and classic bartending has led him to be a leading voice in the new cocktail renaissance. Derek has developed celebrated beverage programs as a bartender and sommelier at Washington D.C.'s finest bars and restaurants, including The Gibson. His latest project is a cocktail club and laboratory called the Columbia Room, housed within the bar that he co-owns with his brother, The Passenger. Derek also owns Better Drinking, where he conducts seminars and events and entertains drinkers throughout the country. Derek has received numerous accolades for his bartending, teaching and wine stewardship, including "Sommelier of the Year" for 2008 by DC Modern Luxury magazine, one of the five top new sommeliers in the country for 2007 by Wine & Spirits magazine and "Bartender of the Year" for 2009 by Washington City Paper. He has appeared in a diverse array of publications and media including the Rachel Maddow Show, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, Food & Wine and Details magazine. Robert Messenger wrote in the Weekly Standard, "To watch Brown at work behind the bar is to see an artist among his elements...." While he routinely holds classes and events through Better Drinking, this past Christmas he was specifically honored when invited to the White House to mix cocktails during the First Family's holiday parties. When Derek is not behind the bar, he is on the board of directors for the Museum of the American Cocktail, mixology chair for Taste of The Nation D.C. and a proud member of the D.C. Craft Bartenders Guild About TEDx In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

Be the first to comment