Be sure to view all of our previous entries in the Women in Hospitality series.
Ashley Eldefri is the brand ambassador for The Community Spirit Vodka and the co-founder of Real Love NYC, an event collective for queer and trans BIPOC dedicated to creating safe spaces and experiences in nightlife for the LGBTQIA+ community.
We spoke with Ashley about on-premise trends, The Community Spirit Vodka's commitment to supporting communities (especially underrepresented ones), and more. Read the full Q&A below.
The Community Spirit Vodka is all about giving back to the community and having the community take ownership of the spirit. What are some ways in which it has given back?
Our goal is to be an additional support and platform for the amazing change-makers doing all the work. Every aspect of our brand puts people at the forefront, including how our support manifests. It’s important to meet people where they want to be met. We partner with organizations and collectives, largely nonprofits, to donate our product and provide bartenders and cocktails for fundraisers. We partner with local bars and restaurants to host happy hours, events, and community gatherings that drive awareness to whatever they are championing for. By following this model, The Community Spirit was able to donate 24% of its revenue in 2022 to those who need it.
Community Vodka was recently named a Certified B Corp Brand. What does this mean to the brand?
Being recognized by B Lab as a company “designed to give” is a huge honor for us. Our entire purpose is to ensure that underrepresented members of our industry continue to have the resources they need and access to the same opportunities as everyone else. Now we get to be a part of an incredible network of other like-minded companies to continue doing what we do but on a much larger and more visible scale!
Are you seeing any particular trends in the on-premise (cocktail trends, visitor trends, etc.)?
We have entered the Martini Renaissance—it’s martini madness nowadays: the OG dirty martini, the cosmo, espresso martinis, lemon drops, name any iconic martini and there will be a 2023 variation. I personally love it. Nothing says TGIF better than a ‘tini.
What ingredients/flavors are you currently enjoying working with most?
My go-to this summer have been passionfruit and guava. Living in the city makes me want to put paradise in a glass, and they are also flavors I’ve seen being used a lot this summer.
What are some of the top challenges in the hospitality industry right now?
Wage disparity for communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, and women-identifying individuals; the communities at the frontline of hospitality are overworked and underpaid. We must continue working towards closing the gap and provide equal opportunities for those that identify with any/all of those communities.
Any advice for other women in the industry?
We are the past, present, and future: Learn from the ones before us, support the ones around you now, and work towards an equitable future for the ones that come after us. If we stick together, nothing can bring us down.
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Plan to Attend or Participate in the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 18-20, 2024
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello (for companies A to G) e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz (for companies H to Q) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh (for companies R to Z) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.