Instructors & Staff

Brad Gubbins
TIB Creative Director & Senior Instructor

Although Brad is rather new to the Toronto bartending scene, it does not mean that he doesn’t come with a certain pedigree. As an avid traveler, Brad has learned his trade in the most reputable cocktail cities in the world, such as London, New York, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Montreal, and Leeds. Through his long hours both bartending and frequenting some of these best known bars around Europe and North America, Brad has been fortunate enough to learn from the very best.  As a result of his training, Brad injects a vast amount of product knowledge to the industry. His style of bartending is such that he respects the traditional concepts and techniques of bartending, but adds his added flair and creativity in a manner which he hopes will elevate bartending, and the cocktail, back to the pedestal it so rightly deserves.

Brad is currently TIB’s senior instructor and creative director. He teaches the Introduction to Bartending & Mixology program, Advanced Level Mixology, Smart Serve and specialty workshops and tasting's. Brad is also very active within the mixology field, constantly creating signature cocktails for TIB and others interested in creating different and exciting cocktail menus for their establishments. His signature cocktails are his exquisite Chateau Cassis, Velvet Royale, the Razzmatazz, and the Maple Apple Martini, which was featured in the June 25th, 2007 Sunday Edition of the Toronto Star.

Brad also head’s up all of TIB’s annual trade show appearances including the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, The Beer & Cocktail Show, The Wine & Cheese Show, and many others.

Events & Appearances
The Beer & Cocktail Show – Toronto, ON. May 2006
GFS Show – Richmond Hill ON, September 2006
Wyborowa Exquisite Vodka Launch Event – London England, November 2006
The Gourmet Food & Wine Media Launch – Toronto, ON. October 2006
The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo – Toronto, ON. November 2006
I.C.E. Program (International Cocktail Experience) - Hosted by the WorldWide Cocktail Club and Wyborowa Vodka - Toronto, ON. March 2007
Home & Garden Show - Toronto, ON. March 2007
Wine & Cheese Show - Toronto, ON. March 2007
Canada AM (Mojito Segment) - Toronto, ON. April 2007
CH @ Home (Mojito Segment) - Hamilton, On. April 2007
Named Kahlua Brand Ambassador - Oct. 2007 to Present

Publications
The Star - November 2006
Bar & Beverage - January 2007
The Star - March 2007 
Bar & Beverage - Nov 2007

Establishments Worked At
The Green (London England)
The Waterline (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Newcastle United F.C. -- St. James Park (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Life (Leeds)
Hard Rock Café (Leeds)

Notable Frequently Visited Establishments
Lab (London)
Lonsdale (London)
Mojo’s (Leeds)
Jake's Bar and Grill (Leeds)
Townhouse (Leeds)
Revolution Vodka Bar (London, Leeds, Newcastle,)
Pegu Club (New York City)
Passerby (New York City)
Ultra Lounge (Toronto)
Drake Hotel (Toronto)

Favorites
Cocktail: Negroni
Shooter: Jagermeister
Beer: Guinness 
Vodka: Wyborowa Exquisite
Scotch: Oban 16
Gin: Beefeater
Rum: Mount Gay Eclipse
Lounge: Milk & Honey (London, Eng.)
Pub: Wellington ( London, Eng.)
Restaurant: Le Select (Toronto)
Quote: ‘I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me’ – Sir Winston Churchill.
Toast: "Place it on your sexy tounge, and make it travel" Quentin El-Bez

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