Newsdesk: and a new one just begun

A little later than usual, perhaps, but it’s 2009 – a brave new world of almost exactly the same stuff as in 2008. Excited?

• Just around the corner from where I was helping customers celebrate the new year in the correct spirit (tequila, by the way), there was a bit of a street party planned. Went alright, by all accounts.
• Not everyone went out, of course. For those who would rather have the shouty drunk people in their houses, the Guardian had a selection of cocktail recipes to serve and a reminder not to neglect those who enjoy stronger stuff in their glasses.
• Apparently, you’re better off not drinking at all, seeing as it could raise your chance of developing cancer by a fifth. and make you into a worse lover. I’m personally shocked by the news that drinking can in fact be bad for you. But if you have to, have some helpful tips for keeping things under control.
• As far as the future goes, the American Culinary Federation thinks that artisanal spirits, culinary cocktails and organic wine are going to be the hot trends of ’09.
• Out in the blogosphere (I’d promised not to use that word. Crap. One resolution down already…), Erik at Underhill-Lounge ponders the differences between line cooking and bartending and James Hoffman suggests stepping out from behind the stick to improve customer service.
• And finally, got any leftover fizz from the party? A bit of patience could give you Prosecco & Campari sorbet.

(Edinburgh 2009 New Year Fireworks by Scala64. happy new year 2009 from lulugaia’s Flickr photostream, displayed under a Creative Commons licence.)