Anamaria E. Osborne - Harlow's - CA

Harlow's is a beautiful blend of old school and contemporary styles boasting farm-to-table contemporary California cuisine, a craft bar, live music, and a passionate staff. The décor is a rich and elegant throwback to 1800’s Europe with a bit of a New Orleans vibe.

The bar takes center stage at Harlow’s where Anamaria E. Osborne and her team will take you back in time with their vast knowledge of spirits and cocktails from the prohibition era contrasted with cutting edge styles in mixology. Handcrafted libations showcase bold flavor profiles that marries together house made syrups and mixers, barrel aged spirits and inventive garnishes to create whimsical offerings.

Anamaria E. Osborne - General Manager

Can you please tell us more about you? What is your background? How long have you been working at Harlow's ?

I feel like I was born into food and beverage.  I was the child who took great pride in meticulously arranging her family's dinner table, especially during the holidays. Later on, once my mother found out exactly what I do for a living, she revealed that I once told her that her dining room did not look inviting enough and proceeded to rearrange things myself. I was seven years old! Little did I know that I was teaching myself the art of hospitality and learning how to properly set up a table.

My official romance with F&B started in Aspen at the St. Regis hotel and continued at the historic Hotel Phillips. For the past year I’ve found myself and a home at Harlow’s Cuisine, just as in love with the industry as when I started, still honing my craft and striving for perfection each and every day.

Tell us more about your venue, Harlow's, what is so special about it?

Harlow's is unique to San Juan Capistrano. It blends a rich & elegant, old world European sensibility with the modern blue jean wearing casual approach to dining that is very much characteristic of California. Whether you're modeling designer fashions or sporting your favorite team’s jersey (go Broncos!) you’ll always feel at home at Harlow's.

What is the thing you like the most about your job?

The Harlow’s family which encompasses my amazing team & our guests. They make it difficult for me to stay away from the restaurant. I’m extremely fortunate to work with people for whom I have a deep professional admiration. My guests are definitely the best, most loyal customers & friends that I've encountered in my professional experience.

Your mantra?

Always prepare for the worst, while demanding the best as you strive for professional excellence.

What do you like about FAIR. ?

The first time I tasted Fair Vodka my initial response was WOW! I proceeded to run with the bottle & a few shot glasses in hand and immediately insisted the entire management team have a taste. I still strongly stand by that WOW! Fair Vodka is beautifully balanced, smooth & easily the best to experiment with when crafting new recipes at the bar.

Nouveau cosmo with FAIR. Vodka

What is you're favorite cocktail made with FAIR. ?

Cocktails are my children and a mother never plays favorites! However, if I had to choose just one, it would have to be our take on the cosmo; muddles limes, our house made locally procured lemongrass simple syrup, Fair vodka, and a dash of cranberry. We’re calling it the Nouveau Cosmo! I've also been experimenting with both a hibiscus and a ginger-turmeric simple syrup, both like all of our syrups hand crafted by either our lead craft bartender Hoover or myself.



Want to find out more about Harlow's? Visit their Website & Facebook 

What is the Fairtrade movement?

Fair trade is a type of international trade that enables farmers a chance out of poverty by guaranteeing fair prices and sustainability. It allows producers to compete in the global marketplace. If a product has Fair Trade Certification, consumers can recognize and support the just trading policies of the producer by purchasing their product. This ensures that farmers will receive profits.

How does Fairtrade work?

© Fairtrade Australia

The minimum price - this price aims to ensure that producers can cover their average costs of sustainable production. 

The Fairtrade Premium - this money goes to communal fund for workers and farmers to use to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions. The Premium is invested in education and healthcare, farm improvements to increase yield and quality, or processing facilities to increase income.

Key facts about Fairtrade

The concept of 'fair trade' has been around for over 40 years but a formal labelling scheme wasn't launched until the late 1980s.

The first Fairtrade coffee from Mexico was sold in Dutch supermarkets in 1988. It was branded Max Havelaar, after a fictional Dutch character who opposed the exploitation of coffee pickers in Dutch colonies. 

Fairtrade began with coffee, now you can buy all sort of Fairtrade certified products: fruits, vegetables, chocolate, cotton, cereals, even gold… 

In 1997, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) was established in Bonn, Germany to unite the labelling initiatives under one umbrella and establish worldwide standards and certfication. 

The Fairtrade system currently works with 1.3 million people - farmers and workers - across more than 70 developing countries.

More than 27 000 products worldwide are bearing the Fairtrade Mark.

In 2012, farmers and workers from some of the world's poorest countries received €80 million in Fairtrade Premium to invest in business, social and environmental projects in their communities.

Fairtrade products are sold in more than 125 countries.

78% of consumers recognise the Fairtrade mark. Do you?

Fair trade principles

• A fair price - Farmers are guaranteed a minimum price on their goods, and are guaranteed an additional price for organic products. They are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.

• Fair labor conditions - Safe work place, no forced child labor, living wages, freedom of association.

• Direct trade - Fewer middle men between the farmers/producers and retailers helps ensure greater profits for farmers.

• Democratic and transparent organizations - Farmers collectively decide how they invest revenue.

• Community development - A portion of revenue supports the community; it may be invested in scholarships, quality improvement, or social and business development.

• Environmental sustainability - No harmful agrochemicals and genetically modified organisms or GMOs. This protects farmer health and preserves the ecosystem.

Download full report on Benefits of Fairtrade 4th Edition here or the 5th Edition (May 2014) here.

Jean Munos, Pelicano Bar, Sydney

Opening in May 2012, Pelicano Bar has become an iconic venue in Sydney Eastern Suburbs for everyone who enjoys sophistication, glamour and great cocktails.

The venue is slick, chic and clean. The atmosphere reminds you of a beautiful yacht with nautical decoration, a copper bar with rivets and refined artwork hanging on the wall.

Jean Munos, award winning bartender and General Manager at Pelicano kindly answered some of our questions.

Could you please tell us a little bit about you, your bartending career?

Jean Munos, General Manager 

I grew up in the South West of France and discovered my passion for bartending when working at Buddha Bar in Paris.

I came to Australia for a year after competing in some bartending competitions around Asia and I never left!

I’ve now been living in Sydney for nearly eight years where I have been bar consulting and have also worked in many different bars around the city such as the Lincoln, Zeta and Felix to name but a few.

I also worked as a Brand Ambassador in Asia for Hennessy and more recently for Grand Marnier here in Australia.

I joined Pelicano when they opened in May 2012 convinced that it would become a Sydney institution. It has been two years now and every day is a reward.

Tell us more about Pelicano Bar, what is so special about it?

Pelicano is the kind of venue that is chic, sophisticated but not pretentious. When you push the doors, the venue takes you on a journey through the French Riviera on a hot summer’s night. The music is jazz, blues and rare groove – it is a glamorous and relaxing place for an after work drink or a nice dinner with friends. Then the music goes up, the place gets full and it becomes the perfect venue for great soul and swing to dance with glitz and class.

I recommend people come down and see it for themselves – it’s such a glamorous and outstanding venue.

Who has been an influence and a source of inspiration for you?

I have been lucky enough to work in many different countries, discover different cultures and work with many types of people. I would therefore say that it was this melting pot of culture that has really inspired me over the years.

What is your style of cocktail? 

I don't have any specific style, it always depends on the time of the day, the season or the occasion. I really like to adapt my drinks and make sure I fully enjoy the moment.

What do you like about FAIR.?

The philosophy behind it, authenticity, it’s premium and ethical. It’s clearly FAIR :)

What is your favourite drink you have had with FAIR.?

Well - there are many different FAIR cocktails that I like but the one that is getting popular here at Pelicano is the FAIR Goji Sour. It's fresh, balanced and seriously tasty.

Want to find out more about Pelicano Bar? Visit their Website & Facebook