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
Furo humanizado Fortaleza
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
pix my dollar
O Pix My Dollar é um aplicativo de microtarefas: você realiza atividades simples no celular e acumula recompensas, que podem ser convertidas em dinheiro.
USB Flash Drive
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect website.
caly film
Thank you for every other informative blog. Where else may just I get that type of information written in such a perfect manner? I have a venture that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
Glyco Shield
There are some attention-grabbing cut-off dates in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There’s some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as effectively
Nerve Freedom
You are my inspiration , I have few web logs and occasionally run out from to post .
Aqua sculpt reviews
Man is said to seek happiness above all else, but what if true happiness comes only when we stop searching for it? It is like trying to catch the wind with our hands—the harder we try, the more it slips through our fingers. Perhaps happiness is not a destination but a state of allowing, of surrendering to the present and realizing that we already have everything we need.
Beast Force
Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Appreciate it
notes ai
I am often to running a blog and i actually admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information.
Beast Force Reviews
You really make it seem really easy together with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be really something that I think I’d never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely vast for me. I am having a look ahead on your subsequent post, I will try to get the dangle of it!
primebiome reviews
Time is often called the soul of motion, the great measure of change, but what if it is merely an illusion? What if we are not moving forward but simply circling the same points, like the smoke from a burning fire, curling back onto itself, repeating patterns we fail to recognize? Maybe the past and future are just two sides of the same moment, and all we ever have is now.
Mitolyn review
The cosmos is said to be an ordered place, ruled by laws and principles, yet within that order exists chaos, unpredictability, and the unexpected. Perhaps true balance is not about eliminating chaos but embracing it, learning to see the beauty in disorder, the harmony within the unpredictable. Maybe to truly understand the universe, we must stop trying to control it and simply become one with its rhythm.
Arialeaf
My wife and i were absolutely joyous that Edward could deal with his preliminary research through the ideas he discovered in your blog. It is now and again perplexing to simply find yourself giving out thoughts that many other people could have been trying to sell. And we already know we now have the website owner to appreciate for this. The most important illustrations you have made, the simple web site menu, the relationships you make it possible to instill – it’s mostly spectacular, and it’s letting our son and us reckon that the idea is awesome, and that’s truly mandatory. Many thanks for all the pieces!
consultor empresarial
This internet site is my breathing in, really great style and design and perfect content.
Arialeaf Reviews
Hi there, I found your blog by the use of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable topic, your web site came up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Ice water hack diet
If everything in this universe has a cause, then surely the cause of my hunger must be the divine order of things aligning to guide me toward the ultimate pleasure of a well-timed meal. Could it be that desire itself is a cosmic signal, a way for nature to communicate with us, pushing us toward the fulfillment of our potential? Perhaps the true philosopher is not the one who ignores his desires, but the one who understands their deeper meaning.
Tonic Greens
My husband and i ended up being quite delighted when Peter managed to deal with his basic research from the ideas he grabbed when using the web pages. It is now and again perplexing to just continually be giving away secrets and techniques which often other folks could have been making money from. Therefore we grasp we now have the writer to appreciate because of that. Those explanations you have made, the easy blog navigation, the friendships you help to foster – it’s got most astounding, and it is facilitating our son in addition to us feel that that theme is enjoyable, which is exceptionally serious. Thanks for the whole lot!
Pineal XT
fantastic post.Never knew this, appreciate it for letting me know.
tbs car battery shop
Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make significantly posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual put up amazing. Magnificent task!
automatic water pump for house
Loving the information on this website , you have done outstanding job on the posts.