Let’s dive into how Sophia’s Leeuwarden achieved this victory and what makes them stand out.
Congratulations on winning the “WIN YOUR FAVOURITE EVENT TICKETS” contest! How does it feel to win?
Yes, fantastic! It’s great to see the hard work of the whole team being rewarded.
Could you tell us a bit more about yourselves, the team, and the restaurant?
Our concept is all about all-day enjoyment. Whether you walk in early in the morning for a fresh cup of coffee and a pastry or want to enjoy a refreshing cocktail or gin-tonic late at night, it’s all possible. Sophias is a place where everyone can feel at home, in the most beautiful place in town. Our restaurant has stylish decor and a beautiful large courtyard garden, which makes us a unique place for all kinds of occasions; therefore, we love hosting events.
What makes us special is our team. They come to Leeuwarden from all over the world to study, which gives us a diverse and fun team. Young people, but all full of passion and motivation. That I get to be in charge of this team is an honour!
I have been involved with Sophias since the beginning and was immediately enthusiastic about this company. Because of my experience on the beautiful island of Vlieland, I am someone who likes to work hard and put my shoulders to the wheel. That makes Sophias the perfect challenge, every day there is something to do!
How did you approach Sir Edmond Gin’s contest?
From the moment Lotte (Brand Manager, Sir Edmond Gin) called us, I was excited. I knew immediately that this was the perfect opportunity for our team to shine. Our bartenders are super creative and always ready to try new things. We all met a few times to flesh out the ideas. Soon we involved the wait staff to inform and enthuse them, because they are ultimately responsible for the sales at the table.
What were your expectations when you started the contest?
Initially, I didn’t expect us to win. There are much larger restaurants in the Netherlands that probably receive more guests per day. But I did know that we could distinguish ourselves through the dedication and creativity of our team. And that is exactly what we did!
How did the contest play out in practice? Was it easy to participate?
The concept of the contest was clear and fun to execute. Participating was super easy and the updates made it nice and exciting! Every week we were curious about the intermediate score, this gave a huge boost to the atmosphere within our team.
Were there any unexpected challenges or fun moments during the contest?
It was great fun to implement new cocktails and ideas throughout the weeks. After the announcement of the intermediate rankings, a buzz went through the company. We were in the top 5 of the Netherlands and were really enjoying ourselves! Everyone got excited and did extra efforts to promote and sell our cocktails.
What are your plans for the tickets you won? Why did you choose this event?
We are busy looking at something we can go to with the whole team. We would like something that is fun for our cooks, the younger staff and anyone over 18. We are looking for something that is both educational and fun. It is still a work in progress.
How long have you been serving Sir Edmond Gin in your establishment?
Sir Edmond is a personal favorite of mine and has been on our menu since we opened. In the meantime, we have surprised quite a few guests with it. It’s a good gin that always goes down well.
How do you promote Sir Edmond Gin in your establishment, and how did you promote it during the contest?
Our best promotion comes from our team itself. There’s nothing more convincing than an employee enthusiastically talking about his or her favorite drink, right? In addition, we had a special card made with our Sir Edmond Gin specials.
What are the most popular Sir Edmond Gin cocktails that you serve?
The Rebellious Pornstar Martini is undoubtedly a big hit. In addition, the frozen gin tonic, a creation of our bartenders, is also one of the best sellers.
Do you have any other fun anecdotes or stories (about Sir Edmond Gin) that you would like to share?
We are just extremely happy to have won this award. The whole team worked extremely hard for it, and this recognition feels fantastic. We want to thank Lotte and Sir Edmond Gin for the great opportunity to enter this competition.