St-Rémy and Mix Haus back women in hospitality

French brandy St-Rémy Signature has teamed up with Australia-based Mix Haus to launch a fundraising initiative to champion women in the hospitality industry.

Co-founded by Shirley Yeung and Pippa Canavan, Mix Haus works as a community that empowers women in hospitality through education, training, networking, and workshops.

The not-for-profit organisation has partnered with the brandy to launch an initiative across Western Australia (WA) throughout August and September, which will see AU$1 from every St-Rémy Signature cocktail sold at participating venues donated to Mix Haus.

In addition, for every case of St-Rémy Signature purchased by the participating WA venues during this period, St-Rémy Signature distributor, Spirits Platform, will also donate AU$50 (US$32) to help amplify the organisation’s work.

All funds raised will go towards a ‘Mix Haus Library’, which aims to create a place for women in the industry to borrow a book they want to read for free, to educate, empower, and inspire.

Yeung said: “We are thrilled to partner with St-Rémy Signature to help raise much-needed funds to empower women in the hospitality industry. Providing more resources and knowledge for females is a trail that we are passionate about blazing – to have the support of such a prestigious brand gives our mission an incredible boost.

“The idea for Mix Haus was born out of passion and the desire to grow in an industry that traditionally has lacked support for women. We want to showcase what WA can offer, and championing our incredible talent here is more important than ever, and the funds raised thanks to St-Rémy Signature will help us do that.”

Since launching in 2021, Mix Haus has raised more than AU$15,000 (US$9,615) to support women in hospitality, using funds to offer free workshops, training, events and scholarships.

Its events and initiatives include bar competitions for women; an annual ‘Women in Wine’ masterclass; the masterclass-come-story-sharing ‘Mix Haus Sessions’; as well as an all-woman bar takeover planned for Sydney Bar Week in September 2023.

Casey Gray, WA state sales manager at Spirits Platform, commented: “We’re big fans of Mix Haus and their important work, and now more than ever, it’s time for the industry to get together and shine a spotlight on the incredible local female talent in WA.

“Shirley and Pippa are true change-makers in the industry and it’s great to see so many WA venues getting behind this incredible initiative to help them achieve their goals.”

In March, mixer producer Double Dutch launched the third edition of its Female Bartending Scholarship Programme to help women progress in the drinks industry.