By Jackson Schneider
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Bourbon & Baker has begun preparations for National Bourbon Month in September, which is a time of year where B&B is able to highlight one of the things it does best... Whiskey.
Operator Evan Grier tells the Little Apple Post that the popular downtown eatery will have a variety of fun posts highlighting the month's activities, as well as some of the organizations that may benefit from them, in the coming days.
"We try to update our bourbon list about every other month or so," said Grier. "We have new things that come on, things that are kind of hard to get, or hard to find. Things that have sold out, we'll rotate that of the menu and put some new, fun stuff up, which is always an interesting time."
B&B also offers an email newsletter for bourbon fans, which will notify avid followers about changes and updates to the bourbon menu, as well as special bourbon-related events or activities in the works. Patrons interested in becoming a part of the newsletter can email [email protected] and ask to be added to the list.
As if that's not enough going on, Grier excitedly mentioned B&B's involvement with the upcoming "Plates & Pours" event in Downtown Manhattan, on October 5th. The event features several culinary stops along and around Poyntz Avenue for food and cocktails in an effort to raise money for the Downtown Business District.
"We always like to be able to support events that are going on Downtown. I think it's one of the more unique business districts in the state, and we love to be able to do events community-wide," said Grier.
Grier also cemented Bourbon & Baker, as well as the other two One Egg Group restaurants in town, Guilty Biscuit and Tallgrass Taphouse's stance on philanthropy.
"We really focus on the citizens in the community who face food insecurity, pets, and children," said Grier, who noted they try to help anyone they can. ""obviously, with food insecurity, it's a natural collaboration for us. So, I think this fall, we'll do the Plates & Pours here downtown, but we're also getting involved in a Boys & Girls Club philanthropy that's going to be centered around whiskey tasting."
When asked about why philanthropy is so important to Bourbon & Baker, Grier said he and his team simply feel blessed to be a part of the community in general, but the pandemic highlighted further the importance of a relationship with the community is, and being able to help those around them.
"Our mission, for all of our restaurants, is to create moments of temporary happiness," said Grier. "That's the reason that the vast majority of our 180-ish employees choose to do what they do every day, and I think for a lot of us, the last year and a half has really highlighted that that's why we show up to work, that's why we exist as a restaurant."
Part of those temporary moments of happiness come from the food and drink B&B creates, but Grier noted the importance of philanthropy to help create even more of those moments, especially for those who may not experience as many of those moments.
To learn more about Bourbon & Baker, explore their menus, or help support their mission to help support the community, visit their website here.