Invitations

“Do you get loads of amazing invitations? I bet you do.” This was what Sam Galsworthy, one of the founders of Sipsmith, said to me over lunch yesterday. It was a fair question, given that we were at the time enjoying a fabulous lunch with accompanying cocktails in the gin brand’s hospitality suite at Wimbledon. 

In fact, despite the appearances of that occasion, I don’t get very many. Yes, I am lucky enough to go to new restaurants which (believe me) I value and cherish – but full-blown hospitality extravaganzas, not so much. Even if I did get the shout, it can be hard to take a full day out of the office.

But, in fact, Sipsmith are clever because not only did they gather a really interesting group for lunch and conversation (over copious amount of gin, although I was on the FreeGlider no-alcohol spirit) – but they also had some new information to impart – embargoed, FYI. I felt that an in-depth conversation with master distiller Jared gave me lots of material, both on specifics and in general on horticulture and botanicals.

So, while a drinks brand gets lots of lovely posts on social media of G&T cans on Centre Court, they also got – from me at least – both gratitude for a great day and a proper connection for future content. A worthwhile endeavour.