Friday with Finlandia Vodka & Joseph Jebelean at South Beach Seafood Festival

South Beach Seafood Festival was this past weekend! It’s the 6th year of the festival celebrating all things seafood. On the sands of South Beach’s Lummus Park we feasted at pop up cafes from Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant, Naked Taco, Red, the Steakhouse - South Beach, The Lobster SHACK, Poseidon Greek Restaurant & Outdoor Lounge, Truluck's, Lobster Bar Sea Grille Miami Beach, Stiltsville Fish Bar. There’s five blocks of food and fun!

But let’s talk about the good stuff —

The cocktails were included in the price of the ticket! This year Finlandia vodka brought out some of Miami’s best bartenders to show off a little of their flair and cocktail making skills.

We sat down with each of the featured bartenders to learn a little more about them and what we can expect to find them making at South Beach Seafood Festival 2018.

Today’s feature — Joseph Jebelean:

Joseph Jebelean is a born and raised Miamian, who started his hospitality career at PF Chang’s in North Miami where he worked for almost a decade starting as a busser and working his way up to bartender pretty quickly. His next gig was at Sugarcane raw bar & grill where he really started to learn how to make cocktails. Joseph is all about longevity as he was part of the Sugarcane team for six years before being recruited to be on the opening team at Beaker & Gray where he’s been behind the bar since opening day. He’s worked his way up as official Bar Manager!

When he’s not at Beaker & Gray, he’s teaching at American Bar Academy in Wynwood with the king of flair, Christian Delpech. He’s participated in several cocktail competitions where he’s been awarded Best Daiquiri in Miami with Brugal Rum, People’s Choice for SOBEWFF’s Art of Tiki 2017 and Judge’s Choice last year!

Catch him behind the stick at Beaker & Gray, or tomorrow on the sand at South Beach Seafood Festival making delicious Finlandia Vodka cocktails!

Photo Credit: Anthony Nader /@52chefs

How did you get your start in bartending? 

I was working at PF Chang’s in North Miami and one night someone got fired from behind the bar. I happened to be there and available that night and had to jump back there to get things done. I fell in love with it and haven’t left my spot behind the bar since!

What’s your favorite part about being behind the bar?

I really love the camaraderie that comes with being behind the bar. You really build a friendship with your coworkers and they become like a second family. It’s a really cool environment.

What’s your favorite way to serve Finlandia vodka?

I really enjoy Finlandia served as a Tom Collins. It’s simple and light and refreshing!

Fun fact about you: 

Every time I travel somewhere I always go for a 10 mile run. There’s really no rhyme or reason behind it but I do it every time.

Make sure to grab your South Beach Seafood Festival tickets! We’d love to see you on the sand with a Finlandia vodka drink in your hand! Use our code: FINLANDIA20 for 20% off you tickets. Did we mention all alcohol is included in the price of the ticket? It’s a great deal!