National Waiters and Waitresses Day is celebrated on May 21st each year. This year in 2026 it falls on a Thursday. Whichever day of the week it falls, it’s a day designated for the "front of house" team that works alongside the kitchen….

[POST IN PROGRESS… SEE ALSO BELOW 👇🏽]

this post acknowledging and honoring the countless yet critically foundational Black hospitality workers over the centuries throughout the Americas will be found in more detail on my Substack and/or Patreon Platforms.

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For direct access to me for answers to your specific Q’s and curiosities, I strongly suggest you support the work I do as an independent scholar via hiring or recommending me for paid projects and/or by becoming part of my Patreon platform. if you are a restaurant or bar owner or buyer who serves high end quality spirits to your customers, i strongly suggest you to add to your lineup the amazing ages-old but new to the US mezcal I am honored to represent: Electrico Mezcal Artesanal.

Because with that wonderful choice comes an elevated partnership vs. the typical transactional approach—treating Mezcal as the cultural treasure it is, rather than as just another liquid commodity. Beyond the bottles, you gain engaging, seasonal storytelling, custom programming and events, game-changing staff training, access to hidden historical category AND brand-specific insights, and curated sensory experiences that transform your premium spirits offerings into a destination for the truly curious.

Although my deep dive spirits scholarly work originated decades ago with RUM— as the rum entry writer for several Encyclopedias of Food & Drink and such — today, so much of my drinks history work narratives illuminate how i’ve come to realize and refer to the reality that MEZCAL is more so the New World’s “oldest spirit” vs. what I’d originally thought was rum’s claim to fame ……

OPTIONS & CHOICES: You can either join my Patreon, subscribe to my Substack or reach out to me directly (or ALL THREE!) to learn more and up your game :) …

In the meantime you can 👉🏿+ FIND MORE Culinary & Cocktail CALENDAR CONTENT HERE👈🏿