Joe Swifka oversees the program at La Descarga, one of the countries most progressive rum & tiki-forward cocktail bars. La Descarga was a 2012 finalist for Best High Volume Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. He's bringing his talents and insights to Austin for a hands-on seminar on the techniques and tricks bartenders can use to craft inventive, functional and "wow" factor garnishes. Trade Only. To RSVP for this and other Texas Tiki Week events in Austin, click here.

About Joe Swifka:

Mr. Swifka began his career behind the bar in 2002 at the Alibi Room in Seattle, Washington.During his first trip to New York City in 2003, he visited the legendary Milk & Honey and fell in love with the art of a well made cocktail. A move to NYC soon followed.

It was while working at Elettaria restaurant where he met his true love: Rum. Working alongside notable bartenders Brian Miller (Death & Co., Pegu Club) and Lynette Marero (Freeman's, Speed Rack), Joseph was introduced to the world of Rum and a new, once forgotten art: Tiki.

Joseph held a successful weekly tribute to Tiki, Mahalo Monday's at Elettaria. This salon cemented his love of all things tropical. A subsequent move to the Flatiron Lounge introduced him to Julie Reiner. The two collaborated on the opening menu at her new tribute to tropicals, Lani Kai. Together they developed a style they dubbed Modern Tropical.

Joseph moved to Los Angeles in 2011. He quickly found a home at celebrated Cuban rum bar, La Descarga, where he immediately set up another Tiki tribute, Tiki Tuesday! Adding a guest bartender program to the evening has helped to further the interest in Tiki to the LA bar scene. Joseph was a Tiki panelist at Los Angeles' first cocktail convention, Golden State Of The Cocktail.

Joseph became General Manager of La Descarga in 2013, and in April of 2014 was promoted to Beverage Director for La Descarga's parent group, Houston Hospitality (Harvard & Stone, Pour Vous, No Vacancy).

As Beverage Director, Joseph Swifka brings his varied experience, and deep love of food and drink to the Houston Hospitality group, sneaking Tiki in where he can...

Joseph Swifka has been published in Gourmet Magazine, New York Magazine, Time Out NY, Eater NY/LA, and various food and drink focused blogs.

Where: Half Step (75 1/2 Rainey Street)

Time: 12pm-2pm