Stories

Negroni Master Class Thailand 2017

Parent Category: News & Stories Category: Stories

With Spoof are drinks. And we welcome all alcoholic beverages. So it is no wonder that we are invited to attend product presentations. Last Monday, February 14, 2017 I was invited to teh Negroni Master Class Thailand 2017. Unfortunately I was late and did not made it to the class. However, I was able to chat with Daniele Pirotta, Campari Band Ambassador.

Daniele Pirotta

Originally from Milano-Italy, his illustrious career has literally taken him around the globe. Dani is truly one of the most passionate people you will ever meet. His approach to drinks is focused on balance. This can be seen through seasonal produce, fresh and exotic ingredients while always paying homage to classic cocktail recipes and exploring modern and innovative techniques. Some past important roles have seen him working for NYC Patina Restaurant Group in FL, as well as leading the bar team on board a leading global Luxury Cruise Liner, Seabourn Pride by Carnival Corporation. Dani has led cocktail bar events, and teams across Italy, Europe, North America, and finally Australia. His natural flair for conversation and interaction with people coupled with a huge passion for fine spirits, Aperitivo and Amaro make Dani a natural bartender and now respected Brand Ambassador for Gruppo Campari.   Daniele regularly trains on all facets of bartending, educating the trade and consumers on Campari’s premium and diverse portfolio products. For the last few years Daniele has been regarded as an authority in the Italian drinking culture category, routinely conducting seminars and masterclasses on everything Bitter Aperitivo, Vermouth and Amaro; with a deep focus on history, production and all aspects of Italy’s most iconic heritage fine spirits families. Since joining Campari in 2012, Daniele has had the opportunity to travel to many of our distilleries and production facilities around the globe and learn directly from the greatest industry legends such as Eddie and Jimmy Russell, Master Distillers at Wild Turkey, Glen Grant Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm, Appleton Estate master blender Joy Spence and Daniele Saracco & Lorenzo Barbero in charge of the production of Campari, Aperol and Cinzano.   Living in Sydney, often travelling globally and regularly conducting research trips back to Italy to discover the hidden beauties of the old country, Daniele has an intimate understanding of the local industry and global market trends. Dani introduced me to the Negroni. The Negroni is an adaptation itself - of the Americano, a simple blend of Campari, vermouth and soda.

Read more: Negroni Master Class Thailand 2017

Telephone Spoof

Parent Category: News & Stories Category: Stories

The Tasmanian team of Ian Waller, Adrian ‘Crim’ Coomber and Greg ‘Plumber’ Smith recorded a clean sweep of the Third TasBang International Telephonic Spoof (T.I.T.S.III) on September 4th against a strong team from the Bangkok Gentlemen Spoofers (BGS) to claim the title for the third time in succession possibly stamping themselves as the greatest International Spoofing team in modern history.

At 1700 hours Eastern Standard Time (1400 hours in Bangkok) Waller placed the call to Chairman Swampy from the BGS and teams were drawn. The BGS included debutante telephonic spoofer Mutton to a line-up featuring experienced phone Spoofers Orange (T.I.T.S.I) and The Dark Horse (T.I.T.S II) whilst Tasmania kept faith in the same team who had claimed both previous telephonic titles.

A tight opening round saw seven spoofs, including three inconclusive rounds, to leave Bangkok and Tassie equal on two men out each with newcomer Mutton was left to face Crim in the head to head to decide the first round. A dead round saw Mutton opening with three countered by Crim with ‘The Loose Glute’ (a Tasmanian call for holding one, calling one) only to have the total declared as two. Crim then opened with ‘The Absent Friends – Endacott Two whilst holding two leaving Mutton, who was holding none little choice, to counter with an obviously unsuccessful ‘Dirty Digit’

After a short break to recharge glasses, and empty bladders, Bangkok returned the phone call to start Round Two. Tasmanian moderator Clarkie unfortunately had to retire due to previous commitments but Clem ‘The Legend’ Smith had fortuitously arrived, albeit too late to participate in the pre-telephone rounds.

Orange opened for the BGS with a strong call of ten but Plumber was out for Tassie with a successful call of seven. Crim then opened with the winning call of ten leaving Bangkok stunned and Tassie with two men out in quick succession.

A no result round then resulted in The Dark Horse having the opening call and he took it as one would expect of an experienced spoofer with the winning call of nine (holding three) in the four man school to keep the BGS alive.

Waller then opened for Tassie with a brave Haughton Six at this crucial point, Orange called seven holding two before the newcomer Mutton leapt in holding none with a magnificent call of ‘Five” to again save a match point and leave the round tied up at two men out each.

Orange had obviously decided that, as Waller had been holding three coins for the last four spoofs, it was time for a change and he bravely opened with a call of the Two that he was holding. In the beguiling nature of top class International Spoofing, Waller had also decided that it was time for a change but had held two coins. Taking a punt that he had indeed read Orange’s mind through the ozone, Waller then countered with a call of four to finish the round and complete the clean sweep of T.I.T.S. Trophies for the Little Islanders.

The highest accolades must go to ‘Plumber’ who set an amazing new record being out in the first round of both spoofs . Plumber also achieved this feat once in each of the other T.I.T.S. contests taking his tally to out first round in four from seven spoofs. An enviable record which is certain to take some beating.

Crim and Plumber ended the series tied on a total of personal outs at seven apiece and Waller totalling six. For the BGS, who had six individual players alternating for the three spoofs, Orange, Dark Horse and Chairman Swampy finished the series at two personal outs each, Bakers one with Jammy and Mutton yet to record a personal out at the highest level in International Telephonic Spoofing.

On behalf of the Tasmanian Spoofing School, and the three winning team members, we congratulate the BGS for a splendid and professional effort which although unsuccessful has earned them the respect and admiration of all for their integrity, sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Well done to Waller, Crim and Plumber (pictured below with the Inaugural T.I.T.S. trophy) who now have a well earned and undisputed place in the glorious history of Spoofing.

Silver Jubilee Extraordinary Spoof September 2013

Parent Category: Stories Category: Silver Jubilee

{jcomments off}Gentlemen,


an extraordinary Spoof will be held on Friday, September 6 2013. Venue will be the same as on the inaugural Spoof in 1988. Please mark this date in your diary. I will invite all former National- and Asian champions to this great event. 25 years of continuously spoofing in Bangkok, Thailand!

WTHAO

Sauerkreut

Foundation 1988

Parent Category: Stories Category: Silver Jubilee

Beside some other stories, here is the real foundation story of the Bangkok Gentlemen Spoofers. The story was told by the founder of the BGS, Hugh, in an email conversation with Ratcatcher (who claimed that spoofing started in 1987):

 

Ratcatcher,
 
I remember very clearly that I returned to Bangkok soon after my wedding in Linkoping Cathedral, Sweden on 4 September 1988, a date I have never been able to scratch from the record book of my life. 
 
I said to Buster, then BC manager, that as I would not be going anywhere until Christmas, and wanting to set the tone for my marriage from the off, I would be at the British Club bar every Tuesday for anyone who would like to join me for a spoof.
 
Buster said he had never managed to get anything going on Tuesday evenings and that he would regard it as his professional duty to join me on the long, hard road ahead.
 
I asked him to keep it quiet to start with, in case it did not take off and in order to preserve the low profile I would seek to maintain in the Bangkok expatriate community over the coming years. 
 
The following Tuesday Buster duly showed himself to be the reliable friend and dependable British Club servant that we all know him to be.
 
For, as my driver swept me through the BC gates, I was struck by acres of garish bunting bearing the slogan 'WELCOME TO THE BANGKOK SPOOFERS!' accompanied by thousands of bright balloons, loud music, colourfully garlanded staff bearing trays of drinks, cameras flashing and the world press (well, the Bangkok Post) thrusting microphones through the car window as I counted my coins.
 
With a knowing nod in the direction of my new best friend, the Manager of the British Club, I entered the bar and the fray and the rest is history.
 
As to the Championship, I can confirm that I would definitely have arranged this for the first available December in order to capitalise on the momentum we had established, to introduce my fellow spoofers to the strict protocol and solemn order of such occasions and to justify the quiet, understated launch that Buster had kindly provided on the first day of spoofing in the British Club.
 
Finally, as to your proposal that we started in 1987, I can confirm that, in 1987, I had never been to Bangkok in my life. Ogilvy & Mather offered me the Thailand job just before Easter 1988 when, while on rugby tour in Kenya, I proposed to my wife on the Island Camp at Lake Baringo.
 
I trust this clarifies the matter.
 
Keep taking the pills, mate.
 
WTHAO,
 
Hugh
 
Copyright byThe British Club, Bangkok. Used with permission

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