Meet The Mixologist

Heidi Noelle Kipapa

1. Where you might find Heidi Mixing a Cocktail ? Ihilani JW Marriott Hawaii Resort Hotel & Spa, Azure Restaurant @ The Royal Hawaiian Hotel
2. Places Heidi has worked. Waikiki Broiler, Jolly Roger on Kalakaua ( Crows Nest ) , Monterey Bay Canners, opened Yard House and Macaroni Grill.
3. What is your drink of choice? Beer, wine or cocktails? Most definitely cocktails. 
4. Favorite cocktails to drink? Framboise @ The Yardhouse, Top shelf margarita's @ Chili's, Beer and a shot of chilled Patron @ the local bars.
5. How did you get started in the business? Started as a cocktail waitress @ The Waikiki Broiler. The bartender decided to quit at the last minute and the manager asked if i would be interested in taking her place.
6. Any mentors? Yes!! Rod Agsalud, bar manager @ Ihilani taught me the importance of keeping a clean and organized bar. Also Joey Gottesman for teaching me how to muddle drinks.
7. Favorite cocktail to make at your workplace? At Azure my favorite drink to make is the Fresh Raspberry Essenced Collins, this heirloom cocktail is hand crafted with fresh raspberries, fresh pressed lemon, white cane sugar and the botanicals of Bombay Sapphire topped with efferescence. At Ihilani it's the Ihilani Dream, in a blender filled with ice add a half 1/2 shot of tequila, 1/2 shot of dark rum, 1/2 shot of banana liquor, and a half shot of Chambord, then add about 2 oz. of cranberry puree and 2 oz. of sweet-n-sour blend and serve in a frozen pineapple shell. YUM...YUM.....
8. Craziest bar experience while working? A regular named Gunther from Germany spent 1/2 the year in Hawaii. He was a regular at The Waikiki Broiler where I bar tended for 12 years. he sat in the same seat, drank only Bloody Mary's and would down a bottle of Vodka every night. He was a very quiet, polite man, who never bothered anyone. He ended up with liver failure and passed away. A couple weeks later a good friend of his came by and dropped off envelopes to about 6 of the employees, myself included. He left us $1,000 each in his will. What a memory!!
9. My favorite places to eat? Kobe Steak House Sushi Bar, Bravo's ( Pearlridge ) Jose's Mexican Cantina ( Kaimuki ), Ushio Tei ( Japanese restaurant @ Ihilani.
10. Married, single, kids? Married with 2 beautiful boys!
11. What do you do in your spare time? Well between working and taking care of my family there is not much spare time. But I do enjoy party planning, decorating, and shopping!

jon.matsubara@luxurycollection.com