ThreeAfter3 has created a community of women in hospitality

What did your first initiatives look like?

For our first event on 1 March 2020 we had Chelsea Bailey [bar manager at Happiness Forgets] and Nicole Sykes [Maker's Mark UK diplomat] on the subject of cocktail competitions, something that both of them are incredibly skilled at. It was all about letting them say how they have navigated their careers. After that we did a bar takeover which raised money for charity and a party. Seeing women connecting and having men in the room who wanted to listen and support them was wonderful.

What other projects have you been involved in?

We bartended at Cocktails in the City last summer and that was interesting because we got to share what we do and have conversations with consumers. We also launched our podcast in March 2021 and that came out of a desire to ask questions and share knowledge. During lockdown we hosted an Instagram Live series with women in the industry called On the Sauce, as well as a written interview series called Quarantine Queens. Having open conversations when it was such a difficult time was really important.

Why a relaunch and what new initiatives are coming with it?

We took a break at the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, and we wanted to come back with a fresh approach. We needed a new look to facilitate that, courtesy of artist Michelle Sambo, and we want to focus on education and community building. We're looking at doing in-person events again and getting people into rooms together rather than online.

We also needed a fresh face as we've changed as a three [Zoé Donadio joined in place of Ulijaszek]. We all have backgrounds in wine and the wine industry. Alexa and I both went into the cocktail side of things, whereas Zoé, despite being an astonishing bartender, has had a more wine-centric career focus.

What kind of education and community initiatives are most important for women working in hospitality?

One thing we're working on is setting up a platform to call out harassment in the industry, which is aggressively rife. We're constantly being told things in private DMs so we're working on creating something more concrete and productive. It's a tricky thing as we're not trained professionals, but people tell us things so we're working out how to create something that is actually useful.

How can people get involved and benefit from the work ThreeAfter3 does?

Firstly, join the conversation with us on Instagram. We're going to start putting out content and events that you can come to and we also have a survey in our Instagram bio so people can tell us what they think the industry needs and what they want to see from us. Tell us what you want and we will do our best to give it to you.

Seasonal food and drink pairing: Pinot Gris Pét Nat 2020 London Cru + langoustine

Sweet, plump langoustines are a thing of beauty at this time of year, so something fresh and fun will be the best accompaniment. We love this London Cru Pét Nat, whose Pinot Gris grapes have been grown in West Marden in Sussex. The wine's tropical notes are a playful match, and it has a lovely effervescence.