Kate Chernoff on Winning World Class, Telling Stories Through Cocktails & Representing Canada
In this episode of the Post Shift Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Kate Chernoff, a bartender, culture-shaper and rising leader in the Canadian cocktail scene. From her roots in Victoria, BC, to competing on national stages and advocating for safer, more inclusive hospitality spaces, Kate’s story is as much about community as it is about the craft.
Local Roots, Big Ambitions
Kate’s journey underscores what many in hospitality feel but fewer articulate so clearly: starting in a regional market isn’t a limitation—it can be your advantage. As a bartender in Victoria, she tapped into local flavour, honed her technique, and used smaller-market agility to iterate faster than many in larger cities. At the same time, she climbed the competition ladder, acquiring credentials like Wine & Spirit Education Trust Levels 2 & 3 and recognition like Canada’s 100 Best Bar’s “Hot Shot of the Year.”
She talked about how the “smaller stage” allowed her to own space, take risks, and experiment—and that mindset gave her the confidence to step into bigger arenas with authenticity.
Crafting Cocktails as Expression
In our conversation, Kate emphasized that a great cocktail isn’t only about flavour balance—it’s about identity. She stressed that each drink she creates is tied to her place, her team, her values: “If the cocktail doesn’t reflect who we are, it won’t resonate with the guest,” she said.
She shared how competing pushed her to refine presentation, storytelling, and guest connection—not just technique. The lesson: whether you’re behind the stick or designing a menu, treat each drink as a vehicle for story and memory.
Social Media, Visibility & Community Voice
Kate also shed light on how she uses social media—not as a platform for perfection, but as a platform for connection. She said that showing the ‘real’ behind-the-bar moments (late nights, team wins, challenges) builds trust and community.
Her message: “People follow what feels human, not just what looks flawless.” For hospitality operators, that means your digital footprint isn’t just about serving visuals—it’s about showing values, integrity, and personality.
Culture, Safety & Hospitality’s Future
Perhaps the most powerful part of our talk was Kate’s advocacy for safer and more inclusive hospitality spaces. She shared her work alongside organizations like Good Night Out to ensure bars are places where everyone can thrive, not just survive.
For bar leaders, that means culture isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Team members must feel safe, supported, and seen if they’re going to show up at their best. Kate’s approach is a reminder that craft, frankly, flows from culture.
Why This Episode Matters
Whether you’re a bartender, manager, brand-builder, or simply passionate about hospitality, there’s plenty in Kate’s story to take away:
How local environments can become launching pads, not traps
Why cocktails are both craft and cultural expression
How social voice builds community—not just followers
And how culture, safety and inclusion are central to sustainable hospitality success