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
memory magnets
fantastic issues altogether, you just gained a new reader. What might you suggest in regards to your submit that you simply made some days in the past? Any positive?
จุดด่างดำ
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
ระบบโรงแรม
I truly enjoy looking through on this website , it contains good articles.
crypto game
Attractive part of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact loved
account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to
your augment and even I success you get entry to persistently rapidly.
ผื่นภูมิแพ้ผิวหนัง
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.
บ๊วย
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
gelatide
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
memopezil
Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have found out so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the source?
sbotop
Fantastic site you have here but I was curious if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked
about in this article? I’d really like to be a part of group
where I can get feed-back from other experienced people that share the
same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Thanks a lot!
MAX889
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide
credit and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours
and my users would genuinely benefit from some of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this alright with you. Thank you!
AUTOWD
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
gembet
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it,
you can be a great author. I will remember to bookmark
your blog and will come back down the road.
I want to encourage that you continue your
great writing, have a nice afternoon!
web autowd
It is actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
MAX889
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic, let alone the content!
เอสบีโอเบท
I don’t even know how I finished up here, but I believed this put up was once good.
I don’t recognise who you’re however definitely you’re
going to a well-known blogger in case you are not already.
Cheers!
about
continuously i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this paragraph
which I am reading here.
tonic greens
I am continually invstigating online for posts that can assist me. Thx!
Bcvodone
tadalafil generic tadalafil dose tadalafil troche
강남가라오케
I think everything posted was actually very logical.
But, what about this? suppose you were to write a awesome post title?
I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your blog, but what if you added a title
to maybe get folk’s attention? I mean The Speakeasy: Interview with Cassie
Womack, Bar Manager at Bidwell and Wicked Bloom, Operations Manager – Flights and Foods is kinda boring.
You should look at Yahoo’s front page and see how they write
article titles to grab viewers to click. You might add a related video or a related
picture or two to grab readers excited about what
you’ve written. In my opinion, it would bring your blog a little livelier.
bariatric gelatin trick
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! “…obstacles do not exist to be surrendered to, but only to be broken.” by Adolf Hitler.