Meet Allison Dedianko - Belvedere Vodka Global Ambassador

“The key to creating any great cocktail is to always remember to keep it simple. If you are using fresh ingredients and being creative, a good cocktail is not far off,” says Allison Dedianko, Belvedere Vodka's global brand ambassador.

Visiting South Africa for the first time, this month as part of her international Belvedere representative role. Ali will be taking part in creative sessions with top bars and clubs in Johannesburg and Cape Town during her South African visit, to impart some of her cutting edge Belvedere know-how as well as the latest cocktail making techniques from around the globe.

Ali joined Moët Hennessy in January 2011 as Global Brand Ambassador for Belvedere Vodka after beating thousands of contestants in the “Bartender’s Dream Job Search” competition which Belvedere ran on their Facebook page. She was one of 11 finalists who battled it out for the global ambassador title over a 3-day final in New York where she impressed the judges with her innovative mixology skills and vodka knowledge. “It was definitely one of the most challenging, but obviously rewarding experiences of my life,” says Ali.

Learn more about Belvedere Vodka

Prior to joining Belvedere Vodka, Ali received her Bachelor of Arts in European Studies with a minor in Russian Language from New York University. Having spent many years behind the bar as a bartender in New York City, Ali has worked the bar at Odessa in the East Village, the Back Room in the LES, to Madam Geneva on the Bowery. She started working behind the bar 8 years ago while studying at university, but loved the job so much that she couldn’t tear herself away after graduation.

Ali’s favourite cocktails include an ice cold Belvedere Martini with an orange twist and a Belvedere Orange Piña Colada. She is now responsible for representing Belvedere on an international level, educating bartenders all around the world and promoting the brand’s various products.

A travel enthusiast, Ali has seen much of Europe as well as parts of Asia and the Middle East. Some of her favourite destinations include Greece, with its breath-taking landscapes and history, and India for the cuisine and charm. She is also multi-lingual, speaking Spanish, Italian, and Russian and hopes to learn French soon. When not travelling the world, Ali resides in New York City.

Starting in Joburg on the 24th of October to do creative sessions with top bars and clubs such as HUSH and Latinova. She will then make her way down to Cape Town on the 25th and 26th of October to do a one on one creative cocktail session with barmen from The Orphanage, currently Cape Town’s latest cocktail hot spot.

For more about Belvedere Vodka, visit their website on http://www.belvederevodka.com/

The Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile

The gorgeous Nicole Flint at Turffontein Race Course on yesterday where she got the inside track on this year’s Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile. (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)

The Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile one of Gauteng’s most glamorous horse racing events of the year brings together top racehorses, famous people and corporate sponsors in aid of charity.

The race will be run on Saturday, November 3. Flint will join 15 other celebrities in adding some glitz and glamour to this popular annual horse race which brings well-known personalities and horse racing together to benefit charity. Through this event 16 charities, 12 associated with Peermont, will each receive a share of R550 000 – the amount will depend in what position the race horse they are drawn with finishes in the race.

Idols South Africa host ProVerb and former Miss South Africa, Nicole Flint (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)

Idols South Africa host ProVerb and former Miss South Africa, Nicole Flint are just two of the celebrities gracing the racing extravaganza that sees 16 celebrities publically represent 16 horses for the benefit of 16 charitable organizations.

Our celebs with two learners from Reahile Primary School, Ayanda Lekitlane (12) and Lufuno Radabe (12).

The Katlehong school is one of the 16 charitable organizations that will benefit from the Charity Mile. While the charities will share a whopping R550 000 in the field 16 horses will do battle over 1600m for this trophy, held by Ayanda and Lufuno and R600 000 in prize money.

Peermont Corporate Affairs and CSI Executive, Vusi Zwane of Bryanston

Peermont Corporate Affairs and CSI Executive, Vusi Zwane of Bryanston, pictured above, with with our celebs at Turffontein Race Course.  While sixteen of the country’s top race horses battle it out it will be 16 charitable organizations that will be the big winners on the day.

About Peermont Hotels, Resorts and Casino's

“As a company, Peermont approaches Corporate Social Investment and Responsibility (CSIR) as an integral part of the way we do business, and all our initiatives are aligned with the vision and mission of the Group.We have proudly witnessed learners of all ages graduate with honours, we have seen small businesses grow with our help and we have seen communities join hands to partner our initiatives. We commend our trustees and administrative staff on the selfless work they continue to do and are proud to announce that a total of R33 million was disbursed to a wide variety of underserved communities through our Trusts and CSIR Initiatives throughout the year.“

VUSI ZWANE
Group Corporate Affairs and CSI Executive

First Event at David Higgs’ New Restaurant 'Five Hundred'

The White Club, a private wine and champagne connoisseurs club, were honoured to hear last week that well renowned South African chef David Higgs will open 1 week early to host 'The World of First Growths' event- the very first event at his new restaurant 'Five Hundred' at the exquisite Saxon Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg.

'Five Hundred' is the brain child of David Higgs, recently appointed as Head Executive Chef at The Saxon. The newly converted Presidential Suite will feature open-kitchen-style theatre so that his privileged guests can enjoy the entertainment of constant interaction with David and his team, as he prepares his exquisite dining delights.

David had officially stated the new restaurant opening as the 1st November 2012 but was so impressed by the The White Club and The World of First Growths, he made the decision to open 1 week earlier to host this incredible impressive wine and dinner event which will be held on Thursday 25 October 2012 instead.

The World of First Growths is an awe-inspiring wine and food pairing experience that has been hosted around the globe this year and which features the best wines in the world. South Africa's events will be held in October in both Johannesburg and Cape Town and will kick off at 'Five Hundred' on Thursday 25th October, followed by an impressive lunch at the famous Delaire Graff Wine Estate in Stellenbosh on Friday 26th October and finalising with a magnificent Dinner at The TAJ Hotel in Cape Town on Saturday 27th October.

Privileged guests will be treated to the most astounding personalised paired cuisine from the Chefs to compliment rare and majestic wines such as Cheval Blanc 1947, Chateau Mouton 1928, Chateau Latour 1925, Chateau Margaux 1929 and Chateau Lafite 1961. 

The World of First Growths will also be featuring 6 South African wines chosen to represent the best of South African First Growth wines; MR de Compostella 2008, Vergelegen 'V' 2007, Vilafonte Series M 2009, Waterford Estate 'The Jem' 2007, Epicurean 2006 and Columella 2009. For more information on these events please contact shelley@whiteroomsa.com 072 3866527 or go to www.thewhiteclub.com.