E31 Parker Luthman
Trial by Fire
Parker Luthman currently resides in Providence, Rhode Island, where he attended Johnson & Wales University with a focus on learning about business and entrepreneurship. Developing a love for the restaurant industry while in high school, Parker’s original intent was to graduate with his B.B.A. and then enroll in the university’s Culinary Arts Program. While on breaks throughout college, he would seasonally work in the kitchen at Square 1682, the restaurant attached to the Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia, which was only a 25 minute train ride from his hometown in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Initially, Parker started as a dishwasher and then quickly worked his way up to prep cook and then line cook in a matter of months. This was accomplished by learning the skills on the job from his team and literally being thrown into the fire. However, while he was a senior at JWU, he decided to focus more on the beverage side of the industry since he was quickly burning out as a line cook and honestly wanted to make more money.
Parker’s next move was to became the first ever intern at the Eddy, a small cocktail bar in Downcity Providence. Through hard work and perseverance over the last 4 years, he has successfully worked his way up from Bar Prep to Head Bartender. Throughout his career, Parker has had the chance to be a part of the opening team of Durk’s BBQ, the Eddy’s sister restaurant,. He has also managed his own cocktail program at The Dean Bar, located in the historic Dean Hotel as their Head Bartender.
He has had the chance to travel the country for various leadership opportunities at festivals like Tales of the Cocktail, Camp Runamok, and Thirst Boston, while also representing himself and his city as a national finalist at various cocktail competitions. Since the effects of COVID-19, his recent focus has been on structuring an environment for new and passionate bartenders. The goal is to help them take control of their own education and providing them with guidance as they grow in the industry while also creating an overall conversation on the importance of maintaining a safe space, especially for members of marginalized communities.
Instagram: @c_parkerl
The Independent Restaurant Coalition
Awards & Achievements: 2019 Heaven Hill Bartender of the Year NY Regional Winner & National Finalist, 2nd Place 2019 RI Monthly “Best Bars” Featured Bartender 2018 New England Tequila & Rum Festival’s Gosling’s Rum Competition Winner 2017 Espolon Cocktail Fights New England Regional Winner & National Finalist 2017 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience RI Winner & National Semi-Finalist 2017, 2018, 2019 Cocktail Apprentice @ Tales of the Cocktail
Podcast Artwork @zak.hannah