The Speakeasy: Interview with Cassie Womack, Bar Manager at Bidwell and Wicked Bloom, Operations Manager
I’ve been graced by Cassie’s skills for so many years, it’s hard to nail down when I first sat at her bar. Every time I take my seat she is on it with my fave, whiskey. Cassie Womack is a Bar Manager at Bidwell and Operations Manager at Wicked Bloom.
Cassie actually started out as a basketball player, playing overseas. She started bartending over fifteen years ago in college and then got back into bartending after realizing she loves the interaction with people. I’ve seen first hand how Cassie is intentional about building relationships with her customers.
Cassie recalls the onset of the pandemic, one day she went to work, on March 15th, and everything was suddenly shut down. Like many people, she was concerned about the effects of the pandemic on the population. Though her work at her full-time jobs ceased temporarily, fortunately, through her relationships she was able to stay employed at a local wine shop. Cassie is such a people person, and she missed her customers so much she decided to kick off virtual happy hours. Through the happy hours she was able to teach us all how to enjoy cocktails at home and have happy hour using whatever you have on hand. Cassie hopes to continue offering special cocktails for purchase and virtual happy hours to her customers.
Though Cassie is in a leadership position, her experience during this time has not been any different than her team, who she considers family. Cassie believes a family atmosphere makes everyone excited to come to work and makes customers feel comfortable. Everyone works, learns, and grows together. In this respect, she would never put her staff in situations that she would not put herself in, prioritizing safety during the pandemic.
Now more than ever it is most important for everyone to take care of themselves. Cassie encourages practicing self care and seeking out therapy if necessary to deal with the current changes in the world. She has continued to keep in touch with her fellow bartenders to encourage each other and keep their spirits up.
With the recent protests and outrage for equality and inclusion in the hospitality industry, Cassie has noticed that many people outside of the Black community are reaching in to to offer support, where none was offered previously. Though there is more awareness and support of the Black community, it is difficult to articulate the impact of that new “support” since the hospitality industry is not fully up and running. She adds that, “It will be interesting to see the state of the industry and how things progress as businesses continue to open their doors.”
“That is what bartending is all about, experiences, memories, and relationships.”
Anyone who misses their favorite bartender should check with them to see if they are offering drinks for delivery or pick up. Also join any virtual happy hours they may host to continue to maintain those relationships and bonds with your local bartender. Cassie believes that is what bartending is all about, “experiences, memories, and relationships.” Even a simple text or DM (direct message) to check on their well being at this time would be much appreciated.
I could not interview Cassie without talking about drinks. Though I always request a good whiskey recommendation, Cassie’s favorite spirit is tequila. Specifically, Casamigos at the moment. “Tequila is low in calories and clean.” Tequila is also very versatile. For more variety she recommends trying a Mezcal, which is similar to Tequila, but presents a more bold smokey flavor.
Cassie’s favorite thing to make is a grilled pineapple concoction. Slice fresh pineapple, glaze it with brown sugar, and grill it. Then infuse your favorite vodka or tequila for a kick of pineapple flavor. You can add soda and lemon if you like for a full cocktail. You can even make a (vodka) gimlet (traditionally made with 2 oz Gin, 1oz Lime Juice, ½ oz Simple Syrup).
I love grilled pineapple so I had to give this infusion a try. I went for the recipe Cassie told me that she enjoys most, with adjustments to my taste.
2 oz Grilled Pineapple Infused Civic Vodka (DC Woman-Owned )
½ oz Pineapple Juice
½ oz Tumeric Simple Syrup
½ – 1 oz Soda (I used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water)
You catch Cassie at Bidwell in Union Market and Wicked Bloom. Cassie is kicking off her 90’s themed happy hours at Bidwell on Saturdays. These happy hours will be socially distanced with seating outside on the patio. Stop for some Social Distancing Shenanigans or to grab a drink to go.
You can follow Cassie on Instagram at @Cassien0va and @underground.bartender to be the first to hear about her upcoming podcasts.
Discover more from Flights and Foods
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
4,275 Comments
live cctv palembang
Hey superb website! Does running a blog like this take a great deal of work?
I have virtually no expertise in programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
Anyway, should you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off subject nevertheless I simply had to ask.
Thank you!
Videos games
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks|
Videos games
I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues? A few of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?|
Gelatin Trick for Weight Loss
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it
Digital prints
I like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!|
delmain delmain
Take action
Ebooks
Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, awesome site!|
Ar Condicionado Split Manutenção
Hey very cool website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?KI’m satisfied to search out numerous useful information here in the publish, we need work out more strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Gelatin Trick
Good blog! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Gelatin Trick
Some truly nice and useful info on this site, also I conceive the design and style has great features.
Louie Saneaux
Really nice style and design and fantastic written content, absolutely nothing else we require : D.
Videos games
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Many thanks, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanks!!|
Arcade games
Hello there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you|
Videos games
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. With thanks|
Ebooks
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!|
Gods Love Ministry
It’s fantastic that you are getting thoughts from this article as well as from
our dialogue made at this time.
Ebooks
fantastic submit, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing. I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!|
Gelatin Trick
I am writing to let you understand of the amazing discovery my princess had reading through your site. She discovered numerous details, most notably what it is like to have a great teaching style to let men and women smoothly know specified hard to do matters. You actually did more than our own desires. I appreciate you for displaying these productive, healthy, edifying and as well as cool guidance on your topic to Mary.
Videos games
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol|
Fun games
Howdy! This article couldn’t be written much better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!|