Burak Kapson - Mixologist
Who is Burak Kapson?
Expert mixologist Burak started his career in the hospitality sector 17 years ago working in various hotels and bars across Turkey. His passion for art and theatre combined with a desire to create innovative cocktails above and beyond the mainstream classics, led him to open his own bar, Black & Gold, in 2015.
His aim is for every customer to experience something special. ‘Anyone can make a cocktail, but not everyone can create a unique and lasting memory which is what we aim to deliver to each person that comes to Black & Gold’. ‘When we create a new cocktail we start in several ways. Sometimes from a flavour profile, sometimes from a concept, but always from a story that we have created. There is always a connection between the story and the flavours’.
Burak is a firm believer in the continued pursuit of excellence, and brainstorms and practices every day with new ideas, often enlisting the help of customers to taste the cocktails and gauge their reaction and opinion on different flavours.
Each season he creates a range of exciting new cocktails using a variety of branded, local and home crafted products and ingredients. This year sees the introduction of a number of new cocktails as well as the growing range of home infused spirits with various botanical combinations. Each is artistically presented with its own individual style, and inspired by the story behind the drink.
Having attended a Mixology School in Holland and more recently the Oz Bartending Academy in Cyprus, Burak is keen to share his knowledge and regularly runs cocktail masterclasses for customers who want to learn more about the basics of good cocktail making. These sessions are a great way for individuals to develop their skills,
or for those just wanting a bit of fun whilst enjoying their time in the sun.
Keen to showcase his talents and to put Black & Gold on the map, Burak was recently awarded the silver medal at the 2018 Golden Cup Cocktail competition in Taiwan, and the gold medal winner at the 2019 Gastro & Bartending Competition in Albania. He also regularly writes for Jigger Magazine and is Vice President of the Anatolian Bartending Association and a member of the World Class Bartending Association.
His speciality? Tell him what flavours you like and what mood you’re in, and he’ll produce a cocktail to match. This is one of the lost arts of mixology that he hopes to preserve.
We hope you enjoy your experience at Black & Gold, and we look forward to creating your unique memory…