Continuing the tradition at Gordon Ramsay Steak
By Kiko Miyasato
Amanda Cooper
It’s a family affair for Amanda Cooper, bartender at Paris’ Gordon Ramsay Steak. Her dad, two brothers and stepmother are all in the Las Vegas food and beverage industry, too.
When it comes to mixing drinks, Cooper learned from one of the best—her father, who has been
a bartender for 30 years. “I learned a lot from him,” she said. “I’ve been learning since I was making margaritas with him in the kitchen.” When Cooper turned 21, she made it official and became a certified bartender. Gordon Ramsay Steak is the fourth place she’s helped open. “This has been the most interesting so far,” she said.
Behind the bar, Cooper works with an abundance of fresh produce and distinctive spirits—ingredients that set the steakhouse’s cocktail menu apart from others in town. “Our cocktail program is pretty unique. …Each one is handcrafted and hands-on.”
Among the most popular selections from Gordon Ramsay Steak’s bar are the Perfect 10 cocktails. The list of 10 cocktails is available via iPad, so guests can scroll through the libations, viewing photos and ingredients as they go. Each cocktail goes hand-in-hand with how you start your meal, all the way through to the last bite. And Cooper is helping to guide her guests on that journey.
“As my dad always told me, ‘I’m here to tend bar.’ I’m here to create an experience and leave an impact on somebody,” Cooper said.
English Garden
One of Gordon Ramsay Steak’s signature cocktails really has to be tried in order to be loved. At first, the English Garden might seem too much like an outdoor adventure in a cup, but it will quickly become a favorite. It’s mixed with muddled cucumber and fresh basil, a dash of celery bitters, basil-infused simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and Hendrick’s gin. “It definitely lives up to its name. It’s very refreshing, very herbal … with a touch of sweetness,” Cooper said.
